The completion of the Katsina–Kano dual carriageway has been delayed due to unresolved compensation issues, according to Abdullahi Yakasai, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement, North-West, during inspections of road projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda in Katsina State on Friday.
Speaking during the visit to Section Two of the road project, the Yakasai explained that the 157-kilometre dual carriageway, being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has so far recorded about 27 per cent completion, but progress has been slowed by encumbrances related to compensation for affected communities.
He commended the contractor for the quality of work and the deployment of heavy equipment to the site, noting that funding intervention by Bola Tinubu has boosted confidence that the project will be completed once outstanding issues are resolved.
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According to him, discussions are ongoing between the Federal Government, the Ministry of Works and the Katsina State Government to find a common ground on compensation, especially as the project commenced before the current administration.
Yakasai said, “In continuation of our inspection of Federal projects here in Katsina State, we are now at the Katsina–Kano dual carriageway, Section Two, heading towards Kano. We have inspected the quality of work with engineers from the Nigerian Society of Engineers and relevant regulators, and we are satisfied with what we have seen.
“With the intervention of Mr. President through the release of funds, we believe this project will move swiftly to completion. The only challenge we have witnessed is the issue of compensation.
“Normally, compensation is paid by the Federal Government, but there has been a recent change where states are also expected to play a role. Since this project started before the Tinubu administration, we believe the Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, will engage with the state government so that the matter can be resolved amicably,” he said.
The aide stressed the economic importance of the Katsina–Kano road, describing it as a critical link between Katsina State and Kano, Nigeria’s major commercial hub, with wider benefits for other North-West States.
“The importance of this road cannot be overemphasised. Kano is a centre of commerce, and this corridor will boost economic activities across Katsina and the entire North-West,” he noted.
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Responding to questions on the completion timeline, the aide said it was difficult to give a definite date due to the compensation challenge. “We cannot give an exact completion time for now because compensation remains the only snag delaying this project,” he explained.
Also speaking, Federal Controller of Works, Katsina State, Engr. Idris Mohammad, highlighted the Federal Ministry of Works, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation Department North-East Zone, Katsina State field Office executed road projects among others the dualization of Kano – Katsina Road (Section II: Kano, saying “State Border – Katsina Steel Rolling Mill Round About) Budget Provision (2025) N 75,000,000,000.00,
Original Contract Sum N29, 654,245,483.79
Revised Contract Sum N94, 155,498,940.37, project length, (78.55 x 2) = 157.10 Km.
Commencement Date, 13th July, 2020
Initial Completion Date, 12th July, 2023
Revised Completion Date: 21st August, 2027
Contract Period: 85 Months
Overall Progress: 27.04%
“Lapse of Contract Period: 76.34% and the scope of works includes the construction of additional carriageway and the rehabilitation of the existing one which involves asphaltic concrete pavement of 60mm binder course, 40mm wearing course and Construction of 5 no bridges. The cross section of the road is four lanes, 2 expressways. One lane is 11.55m, which include 7.3m carriageway, 2.75m outside shoulder and in 1.5m inner shoulder.
“Emergency Repairs of Critical Washouts on Culverts (Km.1+7775 and Km.2+736) Along Katsina-Dutsinma-Kankara Road in Katsina cost a total sum of N549,980,203.26 as the project details include reinstatement of critical washouts and repairs of bad portions. Also, along Katsina-Daura Road in Katsina State handled the original contract sum of N1, 275, 800, 000.00, project length 1.4 Km, commenced on 20th February, 2024 and completed on 19th May, 2024.
“The scope of works consists of the emergency repairs along the 1.4Km length of the road and include the provision of stone pitching, kerbs and chutes, provision of asphaltic wearing course, provision of reinforced concrete retaining wall, provision of pothole patching.
The Works Controller also noted that there is a need for the State Government to settle compensation for economic trees and structures along the carriageway, so that the contractor can connect the towns and villages along the project corridor. “However, despite the aforementioned shortcomings the contractor has achieved significant millstone in the month under review”.
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He further clarified concerns raised by residents of Mararaban Kankara, which expected a longer stretch of road to be completed noted that, “What was commissioned earlier was an emergency intervention of 2.4 kilometres, not the entire 160 kilometres. The full length is a total rehabilitation project, and it is already captured in the 2026 budget proposal submitted to the minister”, he said.
Across Nigeria, about 260 emergency intervention projects were executed to fix failed sections. The Katsina–Kano road benefitted from this initiative, but the full rehabilitation is a separate process.
Both officials expressed confidence that once compensation issues are resolved, construction will progress smoothly to full completion.
