Nigerian Minister of Works, Senator (Engr) David Umahi on Saturday went on an inspection tour of the Abuja-Kaduna- Zaria-Kano Expressway.
Umahi who assured that the road and other major roads in the six geopolitical zones will be tolled after completion restated the involvement of private sector in the maintenance of these roads.
The Minister explained the essence of the tolling system which is to maintain these roads adding that even human body need maintenance to sustain not to talk of road who is under heavy, serious, dynamic loading. 
He said that where roads were completed years ago but had deteriorated, agreements would be reached with stakeholders on necessary maintenance.
According to him, “One of the key problem of our roads is lack of maintenance. And how will you maintain 35,000 kilometers of road? So we’ve to involve the private sector in this maintenance.
“So if you have a road that is 200 kilometers and you have concluded maybe 150, we can discuss with the public. Because if we leave that 150 without maintenance, then the problem is that it can go bad.
“And so even our bodies are maintained, not to talk about the road that is under heavy, serious, dynamic loading. So that is what we are doing. But for now we are not towing any road we have not completed”, Umahi ascertained.
He assured that the work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway will be completed in 14 months starting from February 1, 2025 and revealed that the work on sections 1 and 3 of the road has been awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Limited upon approval of the Federal Executive Council.
The Minister said, “So, we’re very confident that this job will be completed in 14 months, starting from 1st of Feb”, he stated that efforts were underway to address failed sections of the road, including depressions along 38 km of section one, from Abuja to Kaduna. 
Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary to work with contractors and consultants to assess the entire 38-kilometre stretch and determine the best solution.
“We’ve directed that by the next one week, milling and asphalting at Section 3, which is at Kano end, should get started, including the solar lights that we are putting”, he added.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Mohammed Goronyo along with some Directors also inspected the Lambata Bridge on the Abuja-Minna road, while assured that measures was introduced to deter illegal mining and sand excavation to preventing erosion.
