Kaduna begins repair of Nnamdi Azikiwe bypass
The Kaduna State Public Works Agency (KAPWA) has commenced repair of bad portions of Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, with focus on Kagoro by Express Junction, which has become almost impassable.
Daily Trust had on Monday reported the outcry of road users and residents of the state over the deplorable state of the highway. The road is characterised by potholes, which road users described as death traps, causing auto-crashes and damage to vehicles.
Due to the repair work that has started, vehicles are being diverted from Dutsinma junction to the other lane; causing heavy gridlock on the expressway, except that the prospects of a better highway once the repair work is completed are making up for the stress.
The Principal Public Relations Officer of KAPWA, Aliyu Tahir, stated that though the highway was a federal road, the state government had decided to assist the Federal Government due to public outcry. “People have been complaining and we have decided to put in our efforts. We hope to extend the repair to other portions that need urgent attention,” he said.
The spokesperson of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Kaduna, Engineer Sani Abdulkadir had earlier mentioned that repair of the expressway had been captured in the 2016 budget, and that the headquarter of the agency was in the process of awarding contracts.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, built to decongest Kaduna city centre, is a popular route for travellers and residents who live around Mahuta, Rigasa, Kabala West, Kagoro, Bakinruwa, Dutsinma, Trikania and Kudenda, among other communities.