The federal government has assured that the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja–Keffi motorway will be completed by December 2026, despite current challenges.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection of the Maraba–Nyanya section of the 43.6-kilometre project. He said about 41 kilometres have been completed up to Binda, representing 50 per cent progress.
Awarded in April 2023 and executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, the project is funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Work formally commenced in December 2023, with an initial completion target of May 2026.
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Goronyo noted that the dual carriageway is one of the busiest routes into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), serving thousands of commuters daily.
He identified the Abuja-bound section, especially a three-kilometre stretch prone to flooding, as the major challenge.
“A lot of people coming from the Keffi–Nyanya axis experience serious difficulty crossing into Abuja city. We directed the contractor to put in palliative measures and create a temporary route to ease movement,” he said.
To minimise traffic disruption, Goronyo explained that most of the work will be carried out at night. He stressed that the government will closely monitor progress to ensure the project is delivered on schedule.
“We are not happy with the suffering commuters face daily on this arterial road. It is a key corridor for civil servants and residents. The contractor must finish within the stipulated period,” he added.
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The project manager of China Harbour Engineering Company, Dong Hong, pledged that the firm would meet the deadline.
“We are confident of completing this project on time and with the highest quality. Much of the work is now being done at night to meet the schedule,” Hong said.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
