As part of efforts to give the ancient city a face lift, the Kaduna state government, has embarked on construction of township roads across the state capital and other surrounding local government councils.
The state Commissioner for Works, Usman Hassan, who inspected the ongoing projects and some completed ones in Igabi, Kaduna South, Kaduna North and Chikun local government areas, gave the assurance that the projects would be completed in good time while new ones would be awarded by next year.
Mr Hassan, who toured the project sites, made his first stop over at the 8km Zaria road in Rigasa where he inspected an ongoing road construction.
Over the years, residents of the area experienced heavy traffic on daily basis, due to the narrow nature of the road.
The commissioner then explained that “the dualized road when completed, would reduce the heavy traffic experienced morning and evening by those making use of the road”.
Other roads inspected by the team included the dualization of the Aliyu Makama road and other roads at Barnawa in Kaduna South local government, ongoing dualisation of Ali Akilu road which were designed with standard drainage systems, and another 20 roads within the state capital.
The works commissioner said the construction of the inner roads, which is an initiative of the Governor Nasir El-Rufai administration, and a fulfillment of his campaign promise, was geared towards massive intervention on access and link roads, as well as boosting security and increasing the socio-economic well-being of residents of the state.
“Next week we are also going to start the location of services, it will involve removing or relocating electric poles.
“This road is supposed to be dualized because of its high traffic. It is 5.7km as we have seen in Rigasa, and this is where it ends, starting from station roundabout and cutting across Barnawa, down to this junction at Sabon Tasha.
He then explained that the delay was as a result of some challenges experienced by the commission.
“Quite frankly, out of the four dualized road, this was the only one we had issues with the contractor.
Explaining that the issue has however been resolved, he said: “frankly, it reached a point that we were almost thinking of sacking him, but now we have resolved our issue and he is cooperating effectively.
“Asides that, he has even started work. So we will look at those areas we will pay compensation and by the time they finish the computation, we will pay the affected individuals like we did in Rigasa, Ungwa Dosa, Sabon Birni roads.”
The commissioner told newsmen that so far, property owners that were affected by the projects would be compensated in line with relevant laws.
Meanwhile, some residents commended the state government for initiating the projects which they believe would impact positively in their socio-economic well-being.