The Federal Government has approved night construction work on the 43.65-kilometre Mararaba-Keffi reconstruction and expansion project under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
Minister of State for Works, Hon. Muhammad Bello Goronyo, announced the approval on Thursday during an inspection of the project being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Nigeria Limited.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Abdullahi Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Goronyo expressed concern over the slow pace of work and the persistent traffic congestion along the corridor, which links the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa State.
He noted that the daily gridlock has continued to affect thousands of commuters, particularly civil servants residing along the axis, many of whom arrive late to work.
“The project is of national importance. The traffic volume here is massive, and many public servants are suffering.
The government has granted approval for night construction to fast-track delivery and ease the hardship faced by commuters. The contractor must rise to the occasion and utilise this approval effectively,” the Minister said.
Responding, Mr. Dong Hong, Project Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company Nigeria Limited, assured that the company remains committed to meeting the delivery schedule.
“We understand the importance of this road and the urgency to ease traffic. Our team is fully mobilised, and we are committed to delivering quality work on time,” Hong stated.
The Mararaba-Keffi project is part of the Federal Government’s strategy to close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap through innovative financing models such as the Tax Credit Scheme, which allows private sector partners to fund road projects in exchange for tax relief.
The Ministry of Works reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all ongoing projects are delivered efficiently, within schedule, and to the highest standards, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
