Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road: CSO flays N797bn cost of reconstruction

A Civil Society Organization (CSO) – the Anti-Corruption Network – has described the reconstruction of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road project recently awarded at the cost of N797billion as the most expensive on earth.

The Executive Secretary of the ACN, Senator Dino Melaye, told reporters at a press briefing in Abuja, that the project needed further scrutiny to determine its actual cost.

Melaye described the cost of the contract as outrageous saying that the award of the 375-kilometer road at N797billion showed that a Kilometer of the road would gulp a whooping N2.1billion for reconstruction.

He said: “On the 3rd of March 2021, the Federal Executive Council approved the reconstruction of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road at the cost of N797billion.

“The road is said to be 375 kilometers in total. This is probably the most expensive road construction on the earth at the average of US$6 million (N2.1 billion) per kilometer.

“The Anti-Corruption Network has observed with dismay that the cost of road construction in Nigeria has been consistently outrageous which now calls for serious scrutiny.

“According to a report put out by the apex bank of the world, World Bank, the cost of constructing 1 kilometer of road is ₦238 million.

“This figure is the benchmark that usually shouldn’t be surpassed regardless of several factors.

“Going down the memory lane, in 2013, the Federal Government awarded the contract for reconstruction of the 127km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at N167 billion (US$1 billion at the time it was awarded).

“Interestingly, and also in 2013, a similar contract was awarded for the 1,028km Lagos-Abidjan road project and the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) estimated this project to cost between N167 billion and N240 billion.

“At the projected maximum cost of N240 billion, the cost of the ECOWAS road per km will be N234 million whereas the six-lane Expressway road contract awarded by the Federal Government at N167 billion cost will be N1.3 billion per kilometer.

“In other words, the number of kilometers to be covered by the ECOWAS project is eight times higher than Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Express road project; and the cost per kilometer is far lower than that of Nigeria.

“We should also note that the ECOWAS six-lane project is expected to connect five (5) major cities in the region namely Lagos, Nigeria; Cotonou, Benin Republic; Lome, Togo; Accra, Ghana and Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

“Research also shows that in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, it will cost N33 million or US$194,000 to build one kilometer of paved road.
“In Liberia, the cost of building a kilometer of

road has been estimated at US$1 million (N381 million) or US$1.2 million (N457 million).

“But the story is obviously different in Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth.

It has become almost a norm for a kilometer of road in Nigeria to cost more than ₦1 billion to construct.

“The question that begs for answer is why is Nigeria the costliest place to build roads in Africa?

“The answer may not be far-fetched as it is believed that the government intentionally allows these hikes in order to get kickbacks from the contractors, since they can’t run the projects themselves.

“This is obliviously corrupt activity that the Anti-Corruption Network was set up to fight against.

“We therefore use this medium to register our displeasure over the award of road construction contract by the Federal Executive Council on the 3rd of March 2021.
“Anti-Corruption Network state unequivocally that the said contract is outrageous, ridiculous and should be scrutinised.”



LINK :

https://thenationonlineng.net/abuja-kaduna-zaria-kano-road-cso-flays-n797bn-cost-of-reconstruction/

Let's be frank to ourselves; this is no more corruption... This is nothing but a looting expedition... These people are determined to finish every money in government coffers.. This is frightening..

I weak

They must have added the cost of paying ransom to bandits who are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the project to start kidnapping construction staff.

This present Government will loot Nigeria to dust

Good morning

Ah niger delta money oooo.

This looting is too graphic!!

My true life story.......

I was hawking groundnuts at the age of 5 when my parents threw me out of the house, I managed to train myself in nursery school, primary, secondary and tertiary institution. Today I own 174 hotels, 500 cars, 2 planets, 23 countries, Etisalat, 300 roads, 450 estates and 11 oil refineries around the world. If I can make it, you too can make it. Leave that your parents house today and trust me, you can make it.

“ Interestingly, and also in 2013, a similar contract was awarded for the 1,028km Lagos-Abidjan road project and the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) estimated this project to cost between N167 billion and N240 billion.
“At the projected maximum cost of N240 billion, the cost of the ECOWAS road per km will be N234 million whereas the six-lane Expressway road contract awarded by the Federal Government at N167 billion cost will be N1.3 billion per kilometer.
“In other words, the number of kilometers to be covered by the ECOWAS project is eight times higher than Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Express road project; and the cost per kilometer is far lower than that of Nigeria.

This part of the analysis is exaggerated. The naira has lost a lot of value between 2014 and now(2021) and that would make the figure better expressed in a more stable currency like dollar. at N170 to a USD in 2014, that N240 billion was about $1.5bn and therefore around $700bn plus in 2021 value.
I love the concept of project cost comparison to expose inflation of contract and corruption but not the way it is being done here.

CodeTemplar:


This part of the analysis is exaggerated. The naira has lost a lot of value between 2014 and now(2021) and that would make the figure better expressed in a more stable currency like dollar. at N170 to a USD in 2014, that N240 billion was about $1.5bn and therefore around $700bn plus in 2021 value.
I love the concept of project cost comparison to expose inflation of contract and corruption but not the way it is being done here.

Work out for us please the dollar value of a kilometre of each road for a better comparison please. I beg you.

CodeTemplar:


This part of the analysis is exaggerated. The naira has lost a lot of value between 2014 and now(2021) and that would make the figure better expressed in a more stable currency like dollar. at N170 to a USD in 2014, that N240 billion was about $1.5bn and therefore around $700bn plus in 2021 value.
I love the concept of project cost comparison to expose inflation of contract and corruption but not the way it is being done here.

Even at that , at 2.1 billion per kilometer, this is far above the 238 million per kilometer as stated by the world bank..
Let's not do violence to facts here; this very contract is outrageously alarming! This is not an APC vs PDP issue. This is indefensible!
This project is nothing but a monument to kleptomania..

Rugaria:


Even at that , at 2.1 billion per kilometer, this is far above the 238 million per kilometer as stated by the world bank..
Let's not do violence to facts here; this very contract is outrageously alarming! This is not an APC vs PDP issue. This is indefensible!
This project is nothing but a monument to kleptomania..

It outrageous and I agree but the writer either tried to be smart or was careless.

Why are you bothered?. The 797billion will be funded from Cattle and tomato money.

-cobra

CobraAnambra:
Why are you bothered?. The 797billion will be funded from Cattle and tomato money.

-cobra

No it will not be "funded from Cattle and tomato money"!

It will be funded by debt that all we Nigerians will pay back with interest, so wake up cobra!

Buhari and his gang of 40 thieves at it again.

common

fashola is a fraud

Rugaria:


Even at that , at 2.1 billion per kilometer, this is far above the 238 million per kilometer as stated by the world bank..
Let's not do violence to facts here; this very contract is outrageously alarming! This is not an APC vs PDP issue. This is indefensible!
This project is nothing but a monument to kleptomania..

Completely agree...

.

What do you expect when Fashola is minister of works , after all he was the first person to start cost roads at 1km for 1 billion naira when he was Governor of Lagos

the minister don cash out

SarkinYarki:
What do you expect when Fashola is minister of works , after all he was the first person to start cost roads at 1km for 1 billion naira when he was Governor of Lagos

Very true
Just remembered that..
But how can the federal executive council pass this kind of contract? With all the past governors and former ministers and commissioners there, how do you explain the construction of a kilometer of road with over 2 billion!?

What of Abuja Okene Benin highway?

Since 1988 when IBB first did Abj Kano road we have not seen any job on complete Abj Benin

Rugaria:
Let's be frank to ourselves; this is no more corruption... This is nothing but a looting expedition... These people are determined to finish every money in government coffers.. This is frightening..

Before spouting and screaming looting, the road is 385km long so please explain to us based on comparison with similar roads with similar length in Nigeria how much it const con construct a 375km road with all the trimmings that comes with it like ducts, bridges and so on,

While you are at it, give us the cost of labor, cost of materials, and everything that goes into road construction.

That road is almost 2 times longer than the distance from Owerri to Eboyin.

I don't know why you people don't apply common sense and logic before shouting and ranting..

plaindealer:


Before spouting and screaming looting, the road is 385km long so please explain to us based on comparison with similar roads with similar length in Nigeria how much it const con construct a 375km road with all the trimmings that comes with it like ducts, bridges and so on,

While you are at it, give us the cost of labor, cost of materials, and everything that goes into road construction.

That road is almost 2 times longer than the distance from Owerri to Eboyin.

I don't know why you people don't apply common sense and logic before shouting and ranting..

It was compared with 1,028km Lagos-Abidjan road project.
Read the article again.

Tell us why cost of building roads is higher in Nigeria than elsewhere in Africa.

plaindealer:


Before spouting and screaming looting, the road is 385km long so please explain to us based on comparison with similar roads with similar length in Nigeria how much it const con construct a 375km road with all the trimmings that comes with it like ducts, bridges and so on,

While you are at it, give us the cost of labor, cost of materials, and everything that goes into road construction.

That road is almost 2 times longer than the distance from Owerri to Eboyin.

I don't know why you people don't apply common sense and logic before shouting and ranting..

You are an enabler of corruption in Nigeria! People like you are the reason this country is the laughing stock internationally today! Every answer to your sterile questions are right there for you to see, but for whatsoever reason, you have vehemently refused to see them. The way you are going, it seems you have a dog in this game...
Read through the article again..., This time with an open mind, maybe you will see enough reasons to condemn corruption and corrupt politicians..

plaindealer:


Before spouting and screaming looting, the road is 385km long so please explain to us based on comparison with similar roads with similar length in Nigeria how much it const con construct a 375km road with all the trimmings that comes with it like ducts, bridges and so on,

While you are at it, give us the cost of labor, cost of materials, and everything that goes into road construction.

That road is almost 2 times longer than the distance from Owerri to Eboyin.

I don't know why you people don't apply common sense and logic before shouting and ranting..

U obviously didn't read the article. The cost at over 2bn per kilometer is nothing but madness.

If they don't Liquidate Nigeria they won't rest.

For those who always ask where Dave Umahi is getting the money for the numerous projects he is embarking on,here in lies the answer.
Nigerian politicians are too greedy and generally over inflate contracts with out fear or shame, so any one of them that have even a little conscience can achieve a lot with what they are receiving.

The money for the road was probably borrowed from the Chinese. By the time Jubrin and his goons are through with Naijeria, everyone will have sense.

stonemasonn:
It was compared with [b]1,028km Lagos-Abidjan road project.
Read the article again.[/b]

Tell us why cost of building roads is higher in Nigeria than elsewhere in Africa.

The 1,028-km highway project will span across give countries - Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria – and traverses the economic capitals of these five coastal countries, starting from Abidjan and ending in Lagos, while equally straddling eight border crossings. The total cost is US$ 3 billion, which includes not only the construction of new highway but also provision for trade and transit facilitation. The Corridor which carries over 75% of the trade volume in West Africa so as to sustain the free flow of persons, trade and improve the economies of the Corridor states. A mix of development loans was provided to the project to fund the feasibility studies.

https://www.gvip.io/p/abidjan-lagos-corridor-highway

1. That was a flawed, bogus and inaccurate comparison, a comparison, that was an estimate made back in 2013, 8 long years ago

Stop paying attention to useless and worthless Nigeria news media, they sent you on a foolish errand with irresponsible, flawed and misleading numbers that credible news outlets won't use.

2. Comparisons mean today's cost, today's cost of labor, today's cost of materials, cost of imports, cost of transportation and so on, not an irrelevant estimate from 8 years ago.

3. The estimated cost for the same project you are talking about by another publication put the cost at N1,141,485,237.00 Trillion.

4. Estimate is just an estimate, not contractors producing their actual and total contractual cost, there's a difference between the estimate and real cost.

I know there's corruption in Nigeria, but that doesn't mean we must throw away our sense of thinking, logic, and basic ability to rationalize and process news just because we are always desperate to think and believe that Nigeria is corrupt.

at 2.1 billion per kilometer

it's clear that the actual cost is the .1bn
while the 2bn is their profit.