–Governor pays ₦2.1bn debt, revives abandoned project
By Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Engr. Shakiruddeen Adesina Akinloye, the Chief Consultant for the Aliyu Makama–Kabala–Costain dualization project in Kaduna, has disclosed that Governor Uba Sani inherited the project with only 35 percent of the work completed, contrary to claims by the previous administration that it was nearly finished.
During a site inspection, Akinloye explained that the project, which was awarded in 2020 but stalled in 2022, faced major design flaws and payment issues that prompted the contractor, CCECC, to halt work.
He stated that the Uba Sani administration not only revived the project but also cleared a ₦2.1 billion debt left by the previous government.
“The project stopped at 35 percent completion before this administration took over. Upon resuming, we found that the original design was unsafe; it included a sharp curve immediately after the bridge that could lead to accidents.
We have since redesigned it to ensure smooth traffic flow and enhance safety,” he said.
Akinloye noted that the government’s intervention prevented further deterioration of the site. “The initial design by the former contractor had significant engineering flaws.
The redesign now includes a gentler curve and an additional bridge to address flooding and safety concerns. Safety is our top priority in engineering,” he added.
He revealed that the new design incorporates an additional 90-meter bridge to address waterlogging issues, as soil tests indicated that the subsoil depth in the area is approximately nine meters.
“Instead of spending more to stabilize the soil, the government approved a second bridge, which is both faster and more cost-effective,” he explained.
Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, Managing Director of the Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA), supported the consultant’s statements, emphasizing that the project was abandoned midway by the last administration and was inherited at just 35 percent completion.
He clarified that only one bridge and approximately 600 meters of road out of the total 2.7 kilometers were completed before the project was abandoned, representing roughly 22 percent of the total scope of work.
“This administration came into power in 2023, revived the project, paid the outstanding ₦2.1 billion owed to the contractor, and released an additional 50 percent advance for the remaining works,” Dr. Ahmed stated.
He dismissed reports claiming that the previous government achieved up to 70 percent completion, labeling such assertions as “pure misinformation.” “It’s simple arithmetic, not mathematics. Six hundred meters out of 2.7 kilometers is 22 percent.
This administration is in the process of constructing the remaining 2.1 kilometers and the second bridge,” he clarified.
Dr. Ahmed also indicated that new engineering solutions were necessary after investigations revealed that the initial alignment narrowed the water channel, causing flooding during the rainy season.
“We had two options: either to spend heavily on soil stabilization or to extend the bridge. We chose the latter because it’s safer and more cost-effective,” he explained.
He praised Governor Uba Sani for taking decisive action to complete the project despite the financial burdens inherited.
“This administration is committed to delivering quality infrastructure. It did not ignore the contractor’s debt; it paid it off and is pushing for speedy completion,” the KADRA director added.
Mr. Henry Zhang, Project Manager for CCECC’s Kaduna office, also confirmed that the project had stalled due to unpaid certificates and adverse ground conditions. He mentioned that the company had since received advance payment and resumed full-scale work.
“With the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, the project has been revived and is progressing smoothly.
We aim to deliver a high-quality road that will improve traffic flow, connect communities, and support economic growth in Kaduna,” Zhang stated.
The Kabala–Costain dualization project, which spans 2.7 kilometers, connects Aliyu Makama Road with Costain Junction in Kaduna North. Upon completion, it is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, mitigate flooding, and enhance economic connectivity between Kaduna North and Kaduna South.
