Compensation Disputes Slow Progress on Kano–Katsina Highway

Delays in completing Section 2 of the Kano–Katsina dual carriageway are linked to unresolved compensation claims for affected farmlands and properties, according to the Federal Government. During a site inspection at Gidan-Mutum Daya in Katsina State, Abdullahi Tanko-Yakasai, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North-West), confirmed the setback but noted the project remains 27% complete despite the hurdle.

The 157-kilometer road, initiated under the previous administration, aims to enhance commerce between Kano and Katsina, both critical economic hubs. Tanko-Yakasai acknowledged the contractor’s adherence to quality standards—verified by engineers from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN)—but stressed that compensation disputes now fall under state governments due to recent policy shifts. This change has complicated resolutions for projects originally managed federally.

Optimism persists, however. Tanko-Yakasai expects collaboration between the Minister of Works and Katsina’s governor to expedite solutions. Federal Controller of Works Muhammed Idris added that while earlier progress was sluggish, increased funding under the current government has revitalized efforts. Once compensation is settled, construction can accelerate toward completion.

Representatives from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor, reiterated their commitment to delivering quality, while NSE and COREN officials emphasized ongoing oversight to ensure compliance with technical and ethical standards.