Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection tour of the project. He explained that the decision was taken following worsening congestion along the Nyanya–Maraba axis, a critical entry point into the Federal Capital Territory.
Goronyo reaffirmed that the December 2026 deadline for the completion of the project remains unchanged, stressing that the government would not tolerate delays.
“This road is too important to Nigerians for excuses. The contractor must fully mobilise and concentrate on night works to ease the hardship of commuters and deliver results on time,” he said.
Project Scope and Challenges
The Abuja–Keffi dual carriageway, spanning 43.6 kilometres, is one of the busiest commuter routes into Abuja, serving civil servants, traders, and residents from Nasarawa State and neighbouring towns.
While 41 kilometres on the Keffi-bound section have been completed, progress has been slowed on a three-kilometre stretch of the Abuja-bound lane due to flooding and waterlogging.
The minister noted that the government had ordered palliative measures to divert water and create temporary passageways. However, he said such interventions could only be effectively executed at night to avoid worsening traffic congestion during the day.
Funding and Execution
The ₦73.9 billion project is being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme. It is being funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Originally awarded in April 2023, work officially began in December 2023 with an initial deadline of May 2026. The Ministry of Works has since insisted on a December 2026 completion date.
Contractor’s Assurance
Project Manager, Dong Hong, assured Nigerians that the company would meet the deadline:
“We are confident we can finish this project on schedule and deliver the highest quality. Much of our work is now being done at night to meet the target.”
Why It Matters
The Abuja–Keffi Expressway has long been plagued by severe traffic jams, poor drainage, and flooding. Officials say the timely completion of the expansion is critical to easing the daily suffering of thousands of road users and meeting the growing demands of Abuja’s expanding population.
