Governor Uba Sani’s drive to revive abandoned and stalled road projects across Kaduna gained momentum on Tuesday as the State Roads Agency intensified inspections of several key road corridors.

KADRA’s managing director, Abdullahi Ahmad, who led the inspection team, said the exercise followed the Governor’s directive to fast-track completion of inherited road projects that had been abandoned at between 20 and 30 per cent completion.

Mr Ahmad said many of the roads, including the Nasarawa Flour Mills Road, Rabah Road, Rigasa Train Station dual carriageway, Aliyu Makama Road and Kabala–Costain dual carriageway, were stalled in 2022 due to unpaid contractor fees, compensation issues and relocation of utilities.

He said Sani had since cleared the outstanding liabilities and approved compensation for more than 120 households, allowing work to resume fully. According to him, significant progress has been recorded on the Kabala Costain, Aliyu Makama Link Road, where asphalt laying is ongoing.

He said the road would decongest the Stadium Roundabout, shorten travel time between Kaduna North and Kaduna South, and boost socio-economic activities. Mr Ahmad added that the new dual bridge under construction on the route would improve traffic flow and reduce flooding risks within the metropolis.

At the Nasarawa Flour Mills corridor, he said, the road abandoned at 25 per cent, had now reached 65 per cent completion.

“When we came here, it was only drainage works. Today, the binder course has been laid. The Governor has directed that it must be completed before the rainy season,” he said.

Inspecting Rabah Road from Arewa House to the Rigasa Train Station, he said the project, previously at 30 per cent, was now progressing after settlement of liabilities and relocation costs.

Mr Ahmad said the dual carriageway would ease movement to the busy Rigasa rail terminal and is expected to be delivered before the end of next year.

The KADRA managing director also confirmed that about ₦1 billion was paid in compensation to households affected by the Kabala, Aliyu Makama expansion. At the Sabo,Television Garage corridor, Ahmad said construction progress had revived commercial activities in the area.

“Before now, even walking here was difficult. Businesses shut down. But the progress has brought back shops and filling stations,” he said.

Henry Zhang, the project manager of CCECC (the construction firm handling some of the projects), said the company had increased manpower and material supply to meet government deadlines.

Mr Ahmad said KADRA would sustain routine inspections as directed by the governor.

“These are not just roads; they connect communities and drive economic growth. Governor Uba Sani is determined to deliver them,” he said. 

(NAN)