Barau Requests Review of N56 Billion Kano-Dayi Road Contract Due to Slow Progress

• Raises concerns over delays on strategic Kano–Katsina–Kebbi corridor

Senator Jibrin Barau, Deputy President of the Senate, has requested that the Federal Ministry of Works evaluate the contractor responsible for the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi Road project.

He expressed serious concerns about the slow progress on the strategic highway, even though the project has received substantial budget allocations.

In a letter to Minister of Works Dave Umahi, which our correspondent received on Thursday, the Deputy Senate President voiced disappointment with the road's progress.

The project aims to convert the roughly 100‑kilometre single‑lane Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road into a dual carriageway.

It is expected to improve transportation, strengthen community connectivity, and ease the transport of agricultural goods from rural areas to markets in neighbouring states.

The letter, acknowledged by the Ministry of Works earlier this month, notes that recent federal budgets have appropriated substantial funds for the project and urges the ministry to assess the contractor’s performance against project expectations.

Barau said the road remains vital for the socio‑economic development of Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi, and that ongoing delays continue to impact commuters and economic activity along the corridor.

He wrote, “Given the strategic importance of the Kano–Dayi Road to the socio-economic development of Kano, Katsina and Kebbi States, it is deeply concerning that the contractor has failed to make satisfactory progress despite the allocation of N19 billion and N37 billion to the project under the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Acts, respectively.”

“This persistent lack of progress has resulted in undue hardship for residents, commuters and other road users.”

Barau also urged the ministry to carry out an immediate review of the contractor’s performance and take appropriate action in the public interest.

“In view of the persistent delays and the contractor’s apparent inability to meet expected project milestones, I urge the ministry to undertake an immediate assessment of its performance and take necessary steps in the interest of the public,” he stated.

At the time of this report, officials from the Federal Ministry of Works had not publicly addressed the concerns raised in the letter.

The Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi Road is seen as a vital transport corridor linking agricultural and commercial communities in northern Nigeria; stakeholders expect its completion to boost trade and ease movement across the region.