Kaduna Races To Complete Western Bypass, Sets Up Multi-Agency Task Force
By Umar Faruk Tukur
The Kaduna State Government has directed the immediate acceleration and completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Bypass, describing continued delays on the project as “completely unacceptable” following repeated fatal accidents along the corridor.
The directive followed an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened by Governor Uba Sani in Kaduna, amid concerns over the rising number of crashes on the 21.5 kilometre expressway linking Command Junction through the bypass to Mando Roundabout.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the Governor expressed deep concern over the situation and demanded urgent corrective action.
“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,” he said.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), KASTELEA, contractors Dangote Industries and Dantata & Sawo, as well as transport unions including NARTO, NURTW, and ACCOMORAN.
Maiyaki noted that although the project was awarded in 2021 before the current administration, progress had been slow until Governor Uba Sani 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,” he said.
According to updates presented at the meeting by the Federal Controller of Highways and contractors, about 19 kilometres of the road have been completed.
While the project was initially scheduled for completion in December 2026, the Governor has now directed that it be delivered earlier than planned.
“His Excellency has made it unequivocally clear: this project must be delivered ahead of schedule. Any further delay will not be tolerated,” Maiyaki added.
To ensure compliance, the state government announced the setting up of a multi-agency task force to monitor construction activities and enforce safety measures along the corridor, especially during the rainy season.
The task force, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, comprises representatives of the FRSC, KASTELEA, Federal Ministry of Works, contractors, community leaders, traditional institutions, and transport unions.
The Ministry of Information has also been directed to intensify public awareness campaigns on road safety and responsible road usage.
Maiyaki stressed that beyond construction delays, human behaviour has contributed significantly to the accidents recorded along the route.
“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 said.
He added that the government is committed to ensuring that the project meets both construction and safety standards in line with international best practices.
The intervention follows growing concern from community leaders and youth groups, who have described the situation along the bypass as a serious public safety concern with social and economic consequences.
With the new directive, the Kaduna State Government says it is determined to fast-track completion of the project and restore safety along the highway.