From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani has announced that his administration has allocated N30 billion as counterpart funding for the implementation of the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) project.
He described this initiative as historic, emphasizing that it is a collaborative effort between Kaduna State and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
This project is the first of its kind in northern Nigeria and the second overall, following the one in Lagos.
During the 7th National Transport Conference, the Governor stated that the KBRT will feature a dedicated 24-kilometer corridor stretching from Rigachikun to Sabon Tasha.
In his keynote address, he highlighted that 120 articulated buses will operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 38% and saving commuters N1.8 billion annually in fuel costs.
Governor Sani noted that the project will create 3,200 direct jobs (such as drivers, station agents, and maintenance engineers) and 11,000 indirect jobs (in sectors like ICT, security, cleaning, and small-scale trade), among others.
He also mentioned the proposed Kaduna Light Rail Project, which aims to modernize the transportation network in Kaduna and has reached an advanced stage of development. Phase 1 will restore the old rail gauge from Rigachikun to Sabon Tasha, while Phase 2 will link Millennium City to the existing Abuja-Kaduna rail system, creating a seamless 50-kilometer connection.
The Governor announced the launch of the Kaduna Subsidized Transport Scheme, recalling that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had commissioned 100 brand-new CNG/Hybrid buses in June. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal and alleviate the burden on citizens. At the commissioning, he granted a six-month free ride to students, workers, and retirees. This benefit has continued to save commuters more than N500 million since its introduction on July 7, 2025.
