Kaduna state’s push for infrastructural development under Governor Uba Sani has gained renewed momentum as abandoned road projects in Zaria and Southern Kaduna see significant progress, delighting residents and boosting local economies.
In Zaria and Sabon Gari, contractors have resumed work on roads that were neglected for over a decade.
These include the Dogo Bauchi road and Sabon Gari link roads, which were originally initiated in 2011 but stalled due to funding gaps.
The Managing Director of the Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, revealed that Governor Sani’s administration had cleared the 80% balance of the contract sum, ensuring timely completion.
Residents like Mallam Danjuma Isa of the U/Hauwa community expressed relief, saying the improved roads would ease the challenges of navigating the area, especially during the rainy season. Similarly, motorists lauded the government’s commitment, urging speedy completion.
In Southern Kaduna, political appointees led by Dr. James Kanyip, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, inspected ongoing projects, including the 20-kilometre Ungwan Rimi-NEPA Roundabout road and the 22-kilometre Gwantu-Godogodo road.
Dr. Kanyip described the projects as transformative, highlighting their role in improving mobility and fostering commerce in the region.
The team also visited a skills acquisition center in Samaru, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, which aims to empower local youths. Mr. Jerry Adams, Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, attributed the state’s progress to robust taxpayer compliance and encouraged continued civic responsibility to sustain the momentum.
The Managing Director of KADRA, Dr Ahmed noted that the administration had not only prioritized funding but also revised project costs to ensure efficiency.
He emphasised that additional projects, such as the Madauchi-Kafanchan road and Kibam-Godogodo road, would include critical infrastructure like bridges to enhance regional connectivity.
Lawmakers and community leaders have praised the governor for fulfilling long-overdue promises, with Rasheed Idris, a lawmaker representing Sabon Gari, calling the resumption a milestone achievement.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Aminu Abdullahi Shagali, expressed personal satisfaction, recalling his advocacy for the projects since 2011.
