Governor Uba Sani has disbursed a complete of N8.2 billion for each the cost of inherited debt and mobilizing contractors to finish the deserted Kabala-Costain street undertaking, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Company (KADRA), Dr Abdullahi Baba Ahmed has mentioned.
In response to him, the undertaking was deserted by the earlier administration as a result of main design flaws and funding challenges.
Dr Ahmed, who spoke with newsmen when he visited the undertaking web site along with his group, defined that Governor Uba Sani cleared the inherited debt of N2.2 billion owed the contractor and mobilized CCECC to web site with N6 billion.
The Managing Director additional defined {that a} complete of N8.2 billion has been expended on the undertaking, promising that the street will probably be prepared subsequent 12 months.
He additional defined that Governor Uba Sani had inherited the Kabala-Costain street undertaking at solely 35 % completion, opposite to the false claims of the earlier administration.
Talking on the undertaking web site, the Chief Advisor of the street dualisation undertaking, Engr Shakirudeen Adesina Akinloye recalled that the contract was awarded in 2020 however the undertaking was stalled in 2022, as a result of main design flaws and cost points, forcing the contractor, CCECC, to droop work.
The Chief Advisor additional defined that the Uba Sani administration didn’t solely revive the undertaking, but additionally cleared a N2.2 billion debt owed by the earlier authorities.
“The undertaking stopped at 35 % earlier than the present administration took over. After we resumed, we found the preliminary design was unsafe, it had a pointy curve instantly after the bridge, which might trigger accidents. We redesigned it to make sure clean visitors stream and security,” he mentioned.
In response to Engr Akintoye, the intervention of Governor Uba Sani prevented additional deterioration of the location.
“The preliminary design had engineering flaws. The redesign now features a mild curve and a second bridge to handle flooding and security considerations. Security comes first in engineering,” he added.
The Chief Advisor disclosed that the brand new design additionally has a further bridge just like first one, to deal with waterlogging challenges, as soil checks confirmed the subsoil depth within the space is about 9 meters.
“Relatively than spending extra to stabilize the soil, the current authorities authorised a second bridge, which is each sooner and cheaper,” he clarified.
Explaining additional, the Managing Director of KADRA, corroborated the guide’s assertion, stressing that the undertaking was deserted halfway by the final administration.
Dr Baba Ahmed additionally reiterated that the Governor Uba Sani administration inherited the undertaking at simply 35 % completion.
He mentioned just one bridge and about 600 meters of street, out of the entire 2.7 kilometres, have been accomplished earlier than the undertaking was deserted, representing roughly 22 % of the entire work scope.
“This administration got here on board in 2023 and revived the undertaking. It paid an impressive N2.2 billion owed to the contractor and launched a further 50 % advance cost for excellent works,” Dr. Ahmed mentioned.
The MD of KADRA dismissed studies that the earlier authorities achieved as much as 70 % completion, describing the declare as “pure misinformation.”
“It’s easy arithmetic, not arithmetic. 600 meters out of two.7 kilometres is 22 %. This administration is establishing the remaining 2.1 kilometres and a second bridge,” he clarified.
Dr. Baba Ahmed additionally defined that new engineering options turned needed after investigations revealed that the preliminary alignment narrowed the water channel, inflicting flooding through the wet season.
“We had two choices, both spend closely on soil stabilization or lengthen the bridge. We selected the latter as a result of it’s safer and value-efficient,” he mentioned.
The MD recommended Governor Uba Sani for taking the bull by the horns to finish the undertaking regardless of the monetary burden that his administration inherited.
“This administration is dedicated to delivering high quality infrastructure. It didn’t abandon the contractor’s debt, it paid it off and pushed for quick completion,” the KADRA boss added.
Undertaking Supervisor for CCECC Kaduna Workplace, Mr. Henry Zhang, additionally confirmed that the undertaking stalled as a result of unpaid certificates and opposed floor circumstances, including that the corporate had since obtained advance cost from the current authorities and that they’ve resumed full-scale operations.
“With the management of Governor Uba Sani, the undertaking has been revived and is progressing easily. We’re decided to ship a excessive-high quality street that may enhance visitors stream, join communities, and assist Kaduna’s financial progress,” Zhang mentioned.
The Kabala–Costain dualisation undertaking, spanning 2.7 kilometres, hyperlinks Aliyu Makama Road and Costain Junction in Kaduna North.
When accomplished, it’s anticipated to ease visitors congestion, stop flooding, and improve financial connectivity between Kaduna North and Kaduna South.
