The Federal Controller of Works in Kaduna State, Mr Ulagu Loveday, has appealed to the Federal Government to increase funding for the long-delayed Eastern and Western Bypass projects, describing them as critical gateways Kaduna and the North-West states, Arewa PUNCH reports.
Ulagu made the appeal on Monday during the inauguration of ongoing federal road projects in Kaduna, including the 22-year-old Eastern Bypass project.
He said the Eastern Bypass project, being executed by Eksiogullari Construction Nigeria Limited, was initially awarded in 2002 at a cost of N16bn.
According to him, the contract was first reviewed to N38bn before a second augmentation raised it to N74.649bn, which remains the current revised contract sum approved in 2017.
Despite the long lifespan of the project, Ulagu disclosed that the contractor has so far received only N28bn out of the approved N74.649bn.
“From 2002 till date, they have collected just N28bn. So you can see the funding gap and why the project has suffered delays,” the controller said.
He added that the ministry was still owing the contractor outstanding payment certificates, including Interim Certificate 48 valued at N719m and IC 49 worth N365m, as well as an unpaid advance payment of N6bn.
Ulagu disclosed that the project has recorded a financial completion rate of 48 per cent while physical completion stood at 57.24 per cent.
He explained that 36 kilometres of the Eastern Bypass alignment had been covered so far, with about 24 kilometres already opened to traffic, noting that the team was currently at the Chikaji Bridge, a critical section of the project.
The controller stressed that completion of both the Eastern and Western Bypass projects would significantly decongest traffic within Kaduna metropolis and provide a major transport gateway for the North-West.
“If Kaduna is to have a true gateway, this is the only sure way the North-West will have it,” he said.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of Eksiogullari Construction Nigeria Limited, Yunusa Salihu, said the project covers 58.5 kilometres of dual carriageway and includes 10 major bridges.
Salihu said six of the bridges have been fully completed, while work had progressed substantially on the remaining ones at Spur (Rabah Road) and Rigachukwu, adding that difficult terrain, funding challenges and encroachment has slowed progress.
Responding to questions on completion timelines, a Director of the company, Aminu Gambo, said the project’s delivery depended entirely on funding, noting that it could be completed by December next year (2027) if payments improve.
At the Western Bypass, also known as Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Ulagu said the 21.5-kilometre road from Command Junction to Kawo Bridge was initially awarded at N37bn and later reviewed to N77bn, with N14bn so far certified and 26.89 per cent completion recorded.
Meanwhile, the controller inaugurated three completed road projects, including the Sabo Rail Bridge–Command Junction section of the Western Bypass in Chukun Local Government Area, a 1.2-kilometre Mahuta NNPC Pipeline to Nigerian Army Post Service Housing road, and 4.5-kilometre Taban Sani road in Markarfi Local Government under the Federal Government’s Emergency Intervention Scheme in Kaduna State.
The projects, he said, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and formed part of the 260 emergency and ecological road projects nationwide.
