Abuja-Keffi Expressway: Minister enforces night work to meet deadline
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The Federal Government has directed contractors handling the expansion of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway to commence night construction to ease the daily gridlock faced by thousands of commuters on the critical route into the Federal Capital Territory.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection of the project, explaining that the measure had become necessary as motorists endure worsening congestion, particularly around the Nyanya-Maraba axis.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the project within the stipulated deadline of December 2026.
The Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway, one of the busiest entry points into Abuja, serves as a lifeline for thousands of civil servants, traders, and residents commuting daily from Nasarawa State and neighbouring towns into the FCT.
For years, the road has been plagued by traffic snarls, flooding, and poor drainage, making it a source of daily frustration.
Goronyo explained that while significant progress had been made on the Keffi-bound section, a three-kilometre stretch of the Abuja-bound carriageway remained a major challenge due to flooding and waterlogging.
He said the government understood the plight of commuters and had therefore ordered the contractor to adopt immediate measures, including night work, to ease the hardship faced by road users.
“As you are aware, this work started in December 2023 and is supposed to be completed within a specific timeframe. It’s a 43.6-kilometre road from the Keffi bound, of which 41 kilometres have been completed up to Binda, representing 50 per cent progress.
“This trouble area is precisely three kilometres, and we discovered that flooding has affected it severely. Many people from the Keffi and Nyanya axis are experiencing numerous problems crossing into Abuja city.
“We immediately directed the contractor to take palliative measures and provide a channel for water passage, so road users can have easier access. But this cannot be done during the day without worsening congestion. Therefore, the contractor must concentrate on night construction to ensure quick delivery,” Goronyo stated.
He stressed that the completion period remains sacrosanct, warning that the government would not tolerate delays.
“The December 2026 completion deadline is sacrosanct. This road is too important to Nigerians for any excuses. The contractor must fully mobilise and ensure timely delivery. We are here with the ministry’s controller, the acting director of the North-Central Zone, and the contractor to assess progress and give clear directives. We do not want to see this persistent hold-up continue,” the minister added.
The N73.9bn project, spanning 43.6 kilometres, is being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
It is funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and was awarded in April 2023. Construction began in December 2023 with an initial completion date of May 2026, though the ministry insists it must be delivered before the December 2026 deadline.
Out of the total stretch, 41 kilometres of the Keffi-bound section have been completed, representing 50 per cent progress.
Accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Works and representatives of the contractor, the Minister assured that the government would intensify monitoring to ensure commuters begin to feel relief.
On his part, the Project Manager of China Harbour, Dong Hong, pledged that the firm would meet the deadline.
“We are confident we can finish this project on schedule and deliver the highest quality. Much of our work is now being done at night to meet the target,” he said.
The Abuja-Keffi Expressway is one of several major road projects being executed under the tax credit scheme, a model introduced to encourage private sector funding of critical infrastructure. With traffic volumes expected to rise further as Abuja expands, officials say completing the project on time is crucial to ending the daily hardship faced by thousands of road users.
