THESHIELD Garkuwa
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The Kaduna State Government has issued a firm directive for the immediate acceleration and completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Bypass, declaring ongoing delays “completely unacceptable” in the wake of repeated fatal accidents along the corridor.
The decision followed an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened at the instance of Governor Uba Sani, who expressed grave concern over the rising number of crashes on the 21.5-kilometre expressway stretching from Command Junction through the bypass to Mando Roundabout.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information & Culture, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, conveyed the Governor’s deep concern and urgency:
“His Excellency is profoundly disturbed by the tragic loss of lives recorded on this highway. No level of progress can justify the continued loss of even a single life. This situation is intolerable, and decisive action must be taken immediately.”
The high-level meeting brought together critical stakeholders, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), KASTELEA, the main contractor Dangote Industries, subcontractors Dantata & Sawoe, and leadership of transport unions such as NARTO, NURTW, and ACCOMORAN.
Maiyaki noted that although the project was awarded in 2021, prior to the current administration, progress had been sluggish until Governor Uba Sani personally intervened.
“Since the Governor’s direct engagement, we have seen a marked improvement in the pace of work. However, progress alone is not enough—timely completion is now non-negotiable.”
According to updates from the Federal Controller of Highways and contractors, approximately 19 kilometres of the road have been completed. Despite the official delivery timeline of December 2026, the Governor has now issued a clear directive for an earlier completion date.
“His Excellency has made it unequivocally clear: this project must be delivered ahead of schedule. Any further delay will not be tolerated.”
To ensure strict compliance, the government has established a multi-agency task force to monitor construction and enforce safety measures around the clock, particularly during the rainy season.
The task force, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, includes the FRSC, KASTELEA, Federal Ministry of Works officials, contractors, community representatives, traditional leaders, and transport unions. The Ministry of Information has been mandated to lead an aggressive public awareness and behavioral change campaign.
Maiyaki underscored that unsafe road use has been a major contributing factor to the accidents, noting that several high-risk crossing points have been identified.
“Beyond infrastructure, human behaviour remains a critical challenge. We are working closely with communities to enforce safer road usage. Recklessness on our roads must stop.”
He further stressed that both construction standards and road usage must align with global best practices:
“We are committed to ensuring that this road meets international safety standards—not just in design, but in how it is used.”
The government’s intervention follows mounting pressure from community leaders and youth groups, who have described the situation along the bypass as a “serious public safety emergency” with far-reaching economic and social consequences.
With the new directive and enforcement mechanisms in place, the Kaduna State Government says it is determined to restore safety, accelerate delivery, and ensure that the Western Bypass serves its intended purpose without further loss of life.
