Despite criticisms against his performance as Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has remained focused on his desire to transform the State into an industrial hub.
His efforts to rehabilitate roads and construct new ones started last year, with the allocation of N29.77 billion to the Works and Transport Ministry, in the 2016 budget. Towards the end of last year, bulldozers and project vehicles went into action, with the clearing and grading of vast kilometers of roads in the State capital.
Many of the projects are still ongoing, but some like the Ugwan Doki and Ungwan Sarki roads, were completed last year.
The work was intensified at the beginning of 2017, with the clearing and covering of drainages, cutting of damaged parts for repairs, refilling of loose patches, as well as the expansion works, and mounting of street lights.
El-Rufai, had last year said that the roads in the State capital and other urban areas of the State needed serious work after a long time.
His efforts to rehabilitate roads and construct new ones started last year, with the allocation of N29.77 billion to the Works and Transport Ministry, in the 2016 budget. Towards the end of last year, bulldozers and project vehicles went into action, with the clearing and grading of vast kilometers of roads in the State capital.
Many of the projects are still ongoing, but some like the Ugwan Doki and Ungwan Sarki roads, were completed last year.
The work was intensified at the beginning of 2017, with the clearing and covering of drainages, cutting of damaged parts for repairs, refilling of loose patches, as well as the expansion works, and mounting of street lights.
El-Rufai, had last year said that the roads in the State capital and other urban areas of the State needed serious work after a long time.
“Our roads sometimes have no drainages, so they don’t last. We want to tell our people in the rural areas, that rural areas can also be cities. You don’t all have to move to Kaduna, Zaria, or Kafanchan, to have a good life. We will bring the good life to them, so we have a massive programmes for every Local Government headquarter and town,” he stated.
Shortly after, the government awarded contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of many roads. These include: the dualisation of the Rigasa-College road, Anguwan Dosa, Aliyu Makama road, in Barnawa, and Sabon Birni road, in Kawo.
The State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Hassan Usman Mahmud, said the government last year awarded 11 road contracts, including those earmarked for dualisation, and many township roads.
Shortly after, the government awarded contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of many roads. These include: the dualisation of the Rigasa-College road, Anguwan Dosa, Aliyu Makama road, in Barnawa, and Sabon Birni road, in Kawo.
The State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Hassan Usman Mahmud, said the government last year awarded 11 road contracts, including those earmarked for dualisation, and many township roads.
“The four dualisation projects include the eight-kilometer Zaria road in Rigasa, which provides access to the Abuja-Kaduna train terminal, and the busy Aliyu Makama road in Barnawa, a 5.7-kilometer road. Others include the Ungwan Dosa, and Sabon Birni dualization projects.
“We have awarded 30 other contracts, these include some township roads in Kafanchan, Sabon Gari, Zaria, Hunkuyi, Giwa, Makarfi, Ikara, Kauru, Kaura, and other Local Government Areas, and I believe more will come in all the parts of the State”, he added.
The Kaduna State Government it was also learnt, has made provisions for streetlights and relocation of services like electric poles, communication masts, and water pipes within the roads, while work has also gone far on the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, project in Kaduna metropolis.
The project will begin from the Kawo overhead bridge, to the NDA, Rabah Road, Ungwan Sarki, and terminate at Lugard Hall Roundabout.
To cater for buses, the existing dualised roads will be expanded to three lanes on both sides.
The Kaduna State Government it was also learnt, has made provisions for streetlights and relocation of services like electric poles, communication masts, and water pipes within the roads, while work has also gone far on the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, project in Kaduna metropolis.
The project will begin from the Kawo overhead bridge, to the NDA, Rabah Road, Ungwan Sarki, and terminate at Lugard Hall Roundabout.
To cater for buses, the existing dualised roads will be expanded to three lanes on both sides.
“The purpose is to be able to have a single dedicated lane that will be solely and uniquely used for the specialized bus service, called the Rapid Bus Transport, BRT, the kind we have in developed cities and Lagos,” the Commissioner said.
Many residents of the State have applauded the drainage projects.
A resident of Badarawa, Mustapha Aliyu, said in his over 30 years of living in Kaduna, he had never seen such a massive road drainage project.
Richard Samuel of Sabo in Chikun Local Government Area, described as laudable, the government’s efforts, especially on the drainage system ahead of the rainy season, saying it would reduce compensation payment and purchase of relief materials for displaced persons, as a result of floods.
Inusa Jibril, a resident of Tudun Wada, said the projects are creating jobs for the people, and encouraged the government to initiate more to gainfully engage the people.
Some residents said they had to bear the many inconveniences, due to the condition of the roads as the work lasts.
Residents of Rigasa, Rigachikun, Rafinguza, and Hayin Danmani, among others, however, said government is yet to commence such projects in the areas.
Many residents of the State have applauded the drainage projects.
A resident of Badarawa, Mustapha Aliyu, said in his over 30 years of living in Kaduna, he had never seen such a massive road drainage project.
Richard Samuel of Sabo in Chikun Local Government Area, described as laudable, the government’s efforts, especially on the drainage system ahead of the rainy season, saying it would reduce compensation payment and purchase of relief materials for displaced persons, as a result of floods.
Inusa Jibril, a resident of Tudun Wada, said the projects are creating jobs for the people, and encouraged the government to initiate more to gainfully engage the people.
Some residents said they had to bear the many inconveniences, due to the condition of the roads as the work lasts.
Residents of Rigasa, Rigachikun, Rafinguza, and Hayin Danmani, among others, however, said government is yet to commence such projects in the areas.
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