By AMOS MATHEW, Kaduna –
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has been commended for reviving the long-abandoned Kabala–Costain dualisation project, which his administration inherited at only 35 percent completion.
The Chief Consultant to the project, Engr. Shakiruddeen Adesina Akinloye, disclosed this during an inspection visit, clarifying that contrary to reports that the project was nearly completed by the previous administration, it had in fact been stalled since 2022 due to poor design and unpaid certificates.
According to Akinloye, the road project, awarded in 2020, had major safety flaws in its original design, including a dangerous curve immediately after the bridge that could have caused accidents.
“When we resumed, we discovered the design was unsafe. We redesigned it for smoother traffic flow and public safety. The project had stopped at 35 percent before Governor Uba Sani took over,” he said.
He revealed that the current administration cleared an outstanding ₦2.1 billion debt owed by the previous government and approved new designs to ensure long-term durability.
“The initial design was technically flawed and environmentally unsafe. The new plan includes a gentler curve and an additional 90-metre bridge to address flooding caused by poor drainage and weak subsoil,” Akinloye explained, adding that soil tests showed a depth of about nine metres, prompting the decision to build a second bridge instead of spending more on soil stabilization.
Confirming the development, the Managing Director of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA), Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, said the project had reached only about 22 percent of the total work scope before it was abandoned.
“Out of 2.7 kilometres, only 600 meters and one bridge were completed before work stopped. When the Uba Sani administration came in 2023, it revived the project, paid ₦2.1 billion owed to the contractor, and released an additional 50 percent advance payment for completion,” he said.
Dr. Ahmed described earlier claims that the project was 70 percent completed as “pure misinformation.”
“It’s simple arithmetic, not mathematics — 600 meters out of 2.7 kilometres is 22 percent. This administration is completing the remaining 2.1 kilometres along with a second bridge,” he clarified.
He further explained that the redesign was necessary after investigations revealed that the earlier alignment narrowed the water channel, which worsened 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 added.
Dr. Ahmed lauded Governor Uba Sani’s leadership and commitment to quality infrastructure delivery despite inheriting huge liabilities.
“This administration didn’t abandon debts or shift blames. It settled outstanding payments and ensured that work resumed immediately. The governor deserves commendation for taking the bull by the horns,” the KADRA boss said.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of CCECC Kaduna Office, Mr. Henry Zhang, confirmed that the project had stalled due to unpaid certificates and challenging ground conditions.
“With the prompt intervention of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, we have received advance payment and resumed full-scale work. The project is now progressing smoothly, and we are determined to deliver a durable, high-quality road that will ease traffic and enhance connectivity in Kaduna,” Zhang stated.
