After months of force majeure occasioned by insecurity and inflation, work has resumed at the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project as Julius Berger recommenced asphalt laying.

Speaking at the site during the laying of asphalt on Km 163 of Section 1 of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, the site manager, Mike Andrae, reassured Nigerians of the determination of the company to deliver the infrastructure as early as possible.

He said: “We remain partners in progress with our client, the Federal Government, and the operational communities, and indeed the country as a whole.”

The site manager said there will be no lowering of standards, adding that the globally acclaimed professional work of Julius Berger will be carried out.

On Thursday, it was observed that workers on site were engaged in various roles to enhance overall work specifications. The laying of asphalt also went on smoothly.

At the site office of Km 130, the same scenario played out as workers were seen going about their respective duties.

In the bitumen and asphalt testing and clearing laboratories, activities went on, as assigned staff were observed testing samples of asphalt and bitumen.

Amid all these, there was palpable apprehension among workers as they recalled the July 2, 2024 incident at Chainage 134, around Alheri Prayer Camp Village, on the Kaduna-Abuja road, Kaduna State.

According to a security operative in the area, on that day, there was a heavy exchange of gunshots between suspected bandits and the Nigerian Army.

Five soldiers lost their lives, one gun truck was burnt, and weapons were carted away.

A community leader in the Goringora axis of the road, Mallam Isa Birnin-Kudu, who spoke through an interpreter said: “We lost hope when there was no work going on on this road. But we knew there must have been something wrong. We thank God that the mighty Julius Berger is back.”