Governor Uba Sani has disbursed a total of N8.2 billion for both the payment of inherited debt and mobilizing contractors to complete the abandoned Kabala-Costain road project, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Dr Abdullahi Baba Ahmed has said.
According to him, the project was abandoned by the previous administration due to major design flaws and funding challenges.
Dr Ahmed, who spoke with newsmen when he visited the project site with his team, explained that Governor Uba Sani cleared the inherited debt of N2.2 billion owed the contractor and mobilized CCECC to site with N6 billion.
The Managing Director further explained that a total of N8.2 billion has been expended on the project, promising that the road will be ready next year.
He further explained that Governor Uba Sani had inherited the Kabala-Costain road project at only 35 percent completion, contrary to the false claims of the previous administration.
Speaking at the project site, the Chief Consultant of the road dualisation project, Engr Shakirudeen Adesina Akinloye recalled that the contract was awarded in 2020 but the project was stalled in 2022, due to major design flaws and payment issues, forcing the contractor, CCECC, to suspend work.
The Chief Consultant further explained that the Uba Sani administration did not only revive the project, but also cleared a N2.2 billion debt owed by the previous government.
“The project stopped at 35 percent before the current administration took over. When we resumed, we discovered the initial design was unsafe, it had a sharp curve immediately after the bridge, which could cause accidents. We redesigned it to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety,” he said.
According to Engr Akintoye, the intervention of Governor Uba Sani prevented further deterioration of the site.
“The initial design had engineering flaws. The redesign now includes a gentle curve and a second bridge to address flooding and safety concerns. Safety comes first in engineering,” he added.
The Chief Consultant disclosed that the new design also has an additional bridge similar to first one, to handle waterlogging challenges, as soil tests showed the subsoil depth in the area is about nine meters.
“Rather than spending more to stabilize the soil, the present government approved a second bridge, which is both faster and cheaper,” he clarified.
Explaining further, the Managing Director of KADRA, corroborated the consultant’s statement, stressing that the project was abandoned midway by the last administration.
Dr Baba Ahmed also reiterated that the Governor Uba Sani administration inherited the project at just 35 percent completion.
He said only one bridge and about 600 meters of road, out of the total 2.7 kilometres, were completed before the project was abandoned, representing roughly 22 percent of the total work scope.
“This administration came on board in 2023 and revived the project. It paid an outstanding N2.2 billion owed to the contractor and released an additional 50 percent advance payment for outstanding works,” Dr. Ahmed said.
The MD of KADRA dismissed reports that the previous government achieved up to 70 percent completion, describing the claim as “pure misinformation.”
“It’s simple arithmetic, not mathematics. Six hundred meters out of 2.7 kilometres is 22 percent. This administration is constructing the remaining 2.1 kilometres and a second bridge,” he clarified.
Dr. Baba Ahmed also explained that new engineering solutions became necessary after investigations revealed that the initial alignment narrowed the water channel, causing flooding during the rainy season.
“We had two options, either spend heavily on soil stabilization or extend the bridge. We chose the latter because it’s safer and cost-effective,” he said.
The MD commended Governor Uba Sani for taking the bull by the horns to complete the project despite the financial burden that his administration inherited.
“This administration is committed to delivering quality infrastructure. It didn’t abandon the contractor’s debt, it paid it off and pushed for speedy completion,” the KADRA boss added.
Project Manager for CCECC Kaduna Office, Mr. Henry Zhang, also confirmed that the project stalled due to unpaid certificates and adverse ground conditions, adding that the company had since received advance payment from the present government and that they have resumed full-scale operations.
“With the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, the project has been revived and is progressing smoothly. We are determined to deliver a high-quality road that will improve traffic flow, connect communities, and support Kaduna’s economic growth,” Zhang said.
The Kabala–Costain dualisation project, spanning 2.7 kilometres, links Aliyu Makama Road and Costain Junction in Kaduna North.
When completed, it is expected to ease traffic congestion, prevent flooding, and enhance economic connectivity between Kaduna North and Kaduna South.
