Kaduna Builds Big: 78 Roads Awarded, 21 Already in Use!
Kaduna State is on a roll! Over the past 22 months, the government has been working hard to improve infrastructure, and guess what? A whopping 78 road projects have been awarded, covering a massive 775 kilometers! Even better, 21 of these roads are already up and running, making life easier for residents and boosting local businesses.
The man behind the updates, Ibrahim Hamza, the Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, spilled all the juicy details at the Quarterly Ministerial Press Briefing in Kaduna. And let me tell you, it’s been a ride full of challenges, but the government isn’t backing down.
When Governor Uba Sani stepped in, things weren’t exactly smooth. There were unpaid liabilities, vandalism, missing documents, and even over-inflated contracts! But instead of sitting around and pointing fingers, the administration rolled up its sleeves and got to work.
“We had to think outside the box and find solutions,” Hamza explained. “And despite all the roadblocks, we made it happen.”
One of the standout projects? The Kaduna Bridge from Kabala Costain to Aliyu Makama Road. This game-changer is easing the crazy traffic on Ahmadu Bello Way-Junction Road. More good news? Economic activities are picking up across all 23 local government areas in Kaduna. That’s a win for businesses and residents alike!
It’s not just about roads; Kaduna’s water supply is getting a massive upgrade too. When this administration came in, capacity utilization was less than 5%. Today, it’s at 30%, and by the end of the year, it’s expected to hit 100%!
How did they pull this off? Well, a state of emergency was declared in the water sector, and the government went all in. Here’s a quick breakdown of the cash flow:
- $81 million borrowed from the Islamic Development Bank.
- $101 million from the African Development Bank for distribution.
- $17.2 billion in Federal Government reforms.
- Over N100 billion is being injected this year alone!
And let’s not forget that all salary arrears for Kaduna Water Corporation staff (N800 million) have been cleared, plus an outstanding electricity bill of N1.3 billion paid off. Now, that’s how you handle business!
With these incredible strides, Kaduna is gearing up for even more transformation. Roads, water, and essential infrastructure are top priorities, and the best part? The people of Kaduna are at the heart of it all.
