Kaduna gov commissions 21 roads project

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has commissioned 21 road projects and initiated a total of 78 despite challenges inherited from the previous administration, including unpaid contractors, over-invoicing, and lack of documentation, according to the Commissioner of Public Works and Infrastructure, Ibrahim Hamza.

Speaking at the Quarterly Ministerial Press Briefing at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Hamza highlighted how the administration overcame obstacles to continue existing projects and launch new ones.

“Since the coming of this administration in the last 22 months, the government of Senator Uba Sani has done remarkably well. We have tried, notwithstanding the bedevilling challenges and obstacles that we encountered in the Ministry itself and all the parastatals,” he stated.

He further revealed that many contracts inherited by the government lacked proper documentation, were over-inflated, or had no records at all.

“We have largely overcome almost all the challenges that we met. These challenges are not limited to liabilities inherited, vandalization, and lack of proper documentation. Contracts were awarded without documentation. Some were over-inflated, and there were no records,” he explained.

Despite these setbacks, Hamza confirmed that 21 of the 78 road projects—spanning 775 kilometres—have been completed and are now in use, boosting economic activities across the state’s 23 local government areas.

He also announced the recent launch of the Kaduna Bridge completion, linking Kabala Costain to Aliyu Makama Road. The project aims to decongest traffic along Ahmadu Bello Way-Junction Road, one of Kaduna’s busiest corridors.

Hamza disclosed that the state’s Urban Renewal Programme, initiated by the previous administration, was riddled with financial liabilities. Some contractors, he said, had received full payments for projects they failed to complete, while others made exaggerated claims.

“Some contractors received payments that were enough to finish the project, but they have not finished the project and were bringing claims that were outrageous,” he lamented.

He noted that the administration had to thoroughly review these claims before proceeding with the continuation of pending projects.

“We had to sit down and see how we could go through these challenges and make sure that we settled in peace so that we could make progress. This is part of the reason why we didn’t jump directly to continue such projects,” he added.

Beyond road infrastructure, Hamza revealed that the Uba Sani administration inherited a struggling water supply system, with capacity utilisation at less than 5%. However, since declaring a state of emergency in the water sector, capacity utilisation has improved to 30%, with a target of 100% by year-end.

“A lot had been invested in the water sector by the previous administration, but unfortunately, the result is not commensurate with what has been invested,” he noted.

He cited major loans taken for water projects, including $81 million from the Islamic Development Bank, $101 million from the African Development Bank, and a $17.2 billion federal government reform investment.

To revitalise the sector, the administration has injected over ₦25 billion into water infrastructure since September 2023. By the end of 2024, total investment in the sector is expected to surpass ₦100 billion.

Additionally, the government has settled outstanding debts in the sector, including ₦800 million in unpaid salaries for Kaduna Water Corporation staff and a ₦1.3 billion electricity bill.

“By December 2024, we are hopeful that we will achieve 100% water supply, ensuring full capacity utilisation of all our plants,” Hamza promised.

The administration’s commitment to infrastructure and public utilities underscores its resolve to address inherited financial burdens while ensuring tangible development across Kaduna State.