By|| Goodluck E. Adubazi || Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding critical road infrastructure with the ongoing construction of the Kano Northern Bypass, a major highway project expected to ease traffic congestion in Kano metropolis, improve road safety and enhance connectivity across the North-West Zone.
Officials disclosed this during an inspection tour of the project, where the Engineering Representative, Engr. Abba Sani Bello, said the bypass is a 37.8-kilometre dual carriageway designed with 10 major bridges, reinforced concrete shoulders and a three-metre-wide concrete median to ensure durability and long-term service.
Engr. Bello explained that the road alignment stretches from Danzaki along the Kano–Hadejia Road to the Kano–Katsina Road, about nine kilometres outside the Kano metropolis on both ends. He noted that the bypass would allow motorists—particularly heavy-duty vehicles travelling between the North-East and North-West—to avoid the city centre entirely, thereby reducing travel time, traffic congestion and logistics costs.
According to him, the project has reached about 6.8 per cent completion, with significant progress recorded in site clearance, earthworks, pavement layers and structural components. He added that approximately 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. Compensation issues affecting parts of the alignment, he said, are being addressed, with no major relocation challenges anticipated.
The Federal Controller of Works in Kano State, Engr. Abdulsalam Dayyabu, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, noting that construction is being carried out strictly in line with approved engineering standards. He commended the Honourable Minister of Works and members of the media for undertaking the inspection visit.
Also speaking, the 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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the project would provide a direct route for passengers and goods moving between the North-East and North-West without passing through Kano city, while also unlocking economic opportunities, attracting investment and stimulating development along the corridor.
Hon. Yakasai praised CCECC (Nigeria) Limited for deploying modern equipment and maintaining high construction standards, adding that professional bodies such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), civil society organisations and members of the media were present to independently assess the quality and pace of work.
He disclosed that 48 of the 260 Emergency Road Projects currently being executed nationwide are located in the North-West Zone, reflecting the Federal Government’s strong focus on the region. He further highlighted the use of concrete shoulders and medians, as well as plans for solar-powered street lighting, which are expected to improve safety and extend the road’s lifespan to more than 50 years.
During the visit, the team also inspected outstanding sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway (Kano end). A supervising engineer on site, Engr. Muhammed Kudu, said asphalt overlay, shoulder reconstruction, stone-base laying, lane markings and streetlight installation are ongoing across several sections of the expressway.
In addition, five completed Emergency and Special Intervention projects were commissioned across Kano State. These include the reconstruction of Magajin Rumfa Road in Nasarawa G.R.A, repairs of flood-damaged culverts and failed sections along the Kwanar Garko–Garko–Kibiya Road, rehabilitation of flood-affected hydraulic structures on the Wudil–Darki Road, and the construction of roads at the Economic City, Bichi (Phases I and II).
Representatives of host communities, including Shehu Fada Garko and Tijani Buhari, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, for what they described as timely interventions critical to road safety, commerce and community development.
The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing projects in line with approved quality standards and delivery timelines, for the benefit of Kano State and the country at large.
PhotoCredit: Inspection of ongoing Construction of Northern Bypass Road in Kano State by CCECC Construction Company Ltd
