BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Government has stated that the ongoing Kano Northern Bypass project was designed to decongest traffic at the metropolis, enhance road safety, and improve connectivity within the North-West Zone of the country.
This was even as the government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering critical road infrastructure in line with approved quality standards and timelines for the benefit of Kano State and Nigerians generally.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project, the Engineering Representative, Engr. Abba Sani Bello disclosed that the Kano Northern Bypass is a dual-carriageway spanning approximately 37.8 kilometres, featuring 10 major bridges, reinforced concrete shoulders, and a 3-metre-wide concrete median designed to ensure durability and a long service life.
According to him, the road alignment begins from Danzaki on the Kano–Hadejia Road and ends on the Kano–Katsina Road around nine kilometres away from Kano metropolis on both sides.
He explained that the bypass will enable motorists, particularly heavy-duty vehicles travelling between the North-East and North-West to completely bypass Kano city, significantly reducing travel time, traffic congestion, and the cost of logistics.
Bello revealed that the project has achieved approximately 6.8 per cent completion, with notable progress recorded in site clearance, topsoil removal, earthworks, pavement layers, and structural works.
He added that about 5.9 kilometres of pavement wearing course has been completed on both carriageways, alongside reinforced concrete shoulders and medians, while piling and pier works have commenced at several bridge locations.
Bello informed that compensation issues affecting some sections of the alignment are currently processed, assuring that no major relocation challenge exists.
The Federal Controller of Works, Kano State, Engr. Abdulsalam Dayyabu expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, explaining that the construction is executed strictly in line with approved engineering measurements and standards.
He commended Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi and the media team for the visit.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai described the Kano Northern Bypass as a critical national asset under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"This bypass will provide direct access for travellers and goods moving from the North-East to the North-West or vice versa without passing through Kano city. Beyond easing traffic, it will unlock economic opportunities, attract investments, and stimulate development along its corridor," he said.
Yakasai commended CCECC (Nigeria) Limited for deploying modern equipment and maintaining high construction standards at the project site, adding that the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and professional bodies such as Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) verified the quality and pace of work.
He disclosed that out of the 260 Emergency Road Projects completed by the Federal Government nationwide, 48 were located in the North-West Zone, underscoring the Federal Government’s strong focus on the region.
Yakasai highlighted that the use of concrete shoulders and medians, and solar-powered street lighting will enhance safety and extend the lifespan of the road to over 50 years.
The team also assessed progress on the outstanding sections of Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway (Kano end), where one of the Supervising Engineers, Muhammed Kudu informed that asphalt overlay, shoulder reconstruction, stone-base laying, lane markings, and street-light installations are ongoing across multiple segments of the alignment.
In addition, five completed emergency/special intervention projects were commissioned across the state.
They include the reconstruction of Magajin Rumfa Road in Nasarawa G.R.A, Kano City; repairs of Flood-Damaged Culverts and Failed Sections along Kwanar Garko-Garko-Kibiya Road; effects of Flooding on Hydraulic Structures along Wudil-Darki Road, and the Construction of Roads at the Economic City, Bichi (Phases I and II).
The exercises were performed by the SSA-P, Deputy Director in the Kano State Ministry of Works, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Kano State.
Representatives of the host communities, including Shehu Fada Garko and Tijani Buhari, appreciated President Tinubu and Engr Umahi for the timely interventions, describing the projects as critical to road safety, commerce, and community development.
The projects are expected to alleviate the plight of Kano residents and improve their livelihoods.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed in Abuja.
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