From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Outraged by a surge in fatal accidents, Governor Uba Sani has declared the ongoing delays on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Bypass “completely unacceptable,” ordering the 21.5-kilometer project to be delivered ahead of its original 2026 deadline.
The Governor’s directive followed an emergency stakeholders’ summit convened to address the “intolerable” loss of lives on the expressway, which stretches from Command Junction to Mando Roundabout.
Addressing the press after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information & Culture, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, emphasized that while the project was inherited from the previous administration, the current government will no longer tolerate the slow pace of work.
“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. Decisive action must be taken immediateyl,” he stated.
To ensure the Governor’s order is met with action rather than rhetoric, the state has inaugurated a Multi-Agency Task Force. Led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, the team is charged with 24/7 oversight of construction and safety enforcement.
The Task Force includes: Federal Ministry of Works & FRSC, KASTELEA (Kaduna State Transport and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency), the main contractor (Dangote Industries) and subcontractors (Tata & Sao), Traditional rulers and community leaders, Transport Unions (NARTO, NURTW, and ACCOMORAN)
The government identified human behavior as a major contributor to the bypass’s high fatality rate. Mallam Maiyaki noted that several “high-risk crossing points” have been identified where residents and motorists frequently bypass safety protocols.
“Beyond infrastructure, human behavior remains a critical challenge. Recklessness on our roads must stop,” the Commissioner warned.
In response, the Ministry of Information has been directed to launch a vigorous public awareness and behavioral change campaign to educate residents on safer road usage and international best practices.
The Kaduna State Government’s intervention comes amid mounting pressure from youth groups and community leaders who have labeled the bypass a “public safety emergency.”
With 19 kilometers already finished, the state is now focusing on the final stretch, determined to transform the bypass from a “death trap” into a safe, economic corridor before the next rainy season peaks.
