Governor Uba Sani has disbursed a total of N8.2 billion for both the payment of inherited debt and mobilising contractors to complete the abandoned Kabala-Costain road project.

Giving an update on the project on Friday, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, said the project was abandoned by the previous administration due to major design flaws and funding challenges.

Ahmed, who disclosed this to newsmen when he visited the project site with his team, said the governor cleared the inherited debt of N2.2 billion owed the contractor and mobilised CCECC to site with N6 billion.

He said further that a total of N8.2 billion had been expended on the project, promising that the road would be ready next year.

He also said Governor Sani had inherited the Kabala-Costain road project at only 35 per cent completion, contrary to the false claims of the previous administration.

Speaking at the project site, the Chief Consultant of the road dualisation project, Engr. Shakirudeen Adesina Akinloye, recalled that the contract was awarded in 2020, but the project was stalled in 2022, due to major design flaws and payment issues, forcing the contractor, CCECC, to suspend work. 

Akinloye added that the Uba Sani administration did not only revive the project, but also cleared a ₦2.2 billion debt owed by the previous government.

“The project stopped at 35 percent before the current administration took over. When we resumed, we discovered the initial design was unsafe; it had a sharp curve immediately after the bridge, which could cause accidents. We redesigned it to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety.

“The initial design had engineering flaws. The redesign now includes a gentle curve and a second bridge to address flooding and safety concerns. Safety comes first in engineering,” he said.

He disclosed further that the new design also had an additional bridge similar to the first one, to handle water-logging challenges, as soil tests showed the subsoil depth in the area is about nine meters. 

“Rather than spending more to stabilise the soil, the present government approved a second bridge, which is both faster and cheaper.”

Also, the KADRA boss corroborated the consultant’s statement, stressing that the project was abandoned midway by the last administration.

He said only one bridge and about 600 meters of road, out of the total 2.7 kilometres, were completed before the project was abandoned, representing roughly 22 per cent of the total work scope.

“This administration came on board in 2023 and revived the project. It paid an outstanding ₦2.2 billion owed to the contractor and released an additional 50 per cent advance payment for outstanding works,” Ahmed said.

The MD of KADRA dismissed reports that the previous government achieved up to 70 per cent completion, describing the claim as “pure misinformation.” 

“It’s simple arithmetic, not mathematics. Six hundred meters out of 2.7 kilometres is 22 per cent. This administration is constructing the remaining 2.1 kilometres and a second bridge,” he said.

The MD commended Governor Sani for ‘taking the bull by the horns’ to complete the project despite the financial burden that his administration inherited. 

“This administration is committed to delivering quality infrastructure. It didn’t abandon the contractor’s debt, it paid it off and pushed for speedy completion.”

The Project Manager for CCECC Kaduna Office, Mr. Henry Zhang, also confirmed that the project stalled due to unpaid certificates and adverse ground conditions, adding that the company had since received advance payment from the present government and that they had resumed full-scale operations.

“With the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, the project has been revived and is progressing smoothly. We are determined to deliver a high-quality road that will improve traffic flow, connect communities, and support Kaduna’s economic growth,” Zhang said.

The Kabala–Costain dualisation project, spanning 2.7 kilometres, links Aliyu Makama Road and Costain Junction in Kaduna North. 

When completed, it is expected to ease traffic congestion, prevent flooding, and enhance economic connectivity between Kaduna North and Kaduna South.