From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Bad urban roads are in every state. But some of the ones in Kaduna State are worthy of attention. In particular are some of the roads deconstructed for reconstruction by the immediate past governor, Nasir El-Rufai, but abandoned.
El-Rufai embarked on some urban road projects. He completed some but some others were not that lucky. They were abandoned and left in a shape worse than they originally were.
To drive through the abandoned roads is hell, to reside by their side is challenging, while to have business in the same vicinity is a self-inflicted misfortune.
One such bad road is the network from Peugeot Junction through the Yam Market, down to Ungwan Sunday and up to Sabon Tasha, in Chikun Local Government. Another is the one from Flour Mill, through Nasarawa community to Naira Roundabout in Kakuri, Kaduna metropolis.
Residents, traders and motorists complain that the roads have become death traps and business killers. They are also worried that Governor Uba Sani has turned a blind eye to their challenges and complaints.
Daily Sun’s investigation revealed that businesses located inside the Yam Market and those along the abandoned road leading to Ungwan Sunday and Television Village are mostly affected and losing fortunes because of the bad road network.
Chairman, Yam Market Traders’ Association, Douglas Okafor, said: “The abandoned road has been a very big concern to us. The road is affecting us negatively. Many businesses in this axis have been closed down because of the bad road.
“And many other people residing in the area have to take another route far away from their houses to get home on a daily basis. That means increases in fare and longer time to get home.
“I don’t want to believe in what people are saying about the former governor El-Rufai that majority of the people in the area did not vote for him and that was why he abandoned the road project. I am not in a position to speak on this assumption. But he was supposed to have completed the road.”
He noted that similar road projects started by the same government were completed: “The road was started at the same time with those ones he completed from our own end to Railway Station roundabout.
“To our greatest surprise, the road (Railway Road) was commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The President passed through the abandoned road to go and commission that very one.
“We thought that by now the abandoned road would have been completed because the two roads were awarded to the same contractor.
“We are appealing to Governor Sani to come to our aid and complete the road for the people in the area. I have personally observed that Governor Sani has been doing good things since he assumed office. It shows that he is a man of the people, regardless of who voted or did not vote for him.
“In leadership, you don’t really govern only those that voted you, he must carry everybody along because he is now a father to everybody in the state whether they voted him or not. With the way he is doing, I have this confidence that he is going to complete the road.
“I am appealing to him to come to our aid by completing that road. Our sources of income are being affected negatively because of inability to use the road by our customers. Many people died because of difficulties in accessing the road, many businesses folded up. So we are appealing to Governor Sani to complete that road.”
Another resident, Godfrey Obi said: “This road was abandoned by the previous administration. I am appealing to Governor Sani to come and fix this road by Television Garage-Yam Market leading through Ungwan Sunday to Sabo Tasha.
“The rumour is everywhere that it was because majority of the people in this area did not vote for El-Rufai during the 2019 election, that was why he abandoned the road project here.
“I can see that the abandoning of the road is one-sided. In some areas one can see that roads are not abandoned. But I can tell you that in Nasarawa community, similar issue of road being abandoned is also there.
“From the Flour Mill axis to Naira Roundabout area of Kakuri, the road has been abandoned. People plying that road are suffering because the road has become worse than ever before. It is our hope that Governor Sani will make it better for us.”
Emowahe Oscar repairs handsets around Yam Market: “Honestly speaking, this abandoned road is giving us problem. Our customers can no longer come here to patronise us. They go to another place because our road is bad.
“I have two sales girls, but I have to send them parking because of no sales. It has never been like this before. There is no business like before. The situation is worrisome. They should have left the road the way it was.
“The worst of it is that many portions of the road have been blocked by different organisations. So there is no short cut to anywhere. The road is no more passable for vehicles. We are suffering it is affecting us. I am appealing to Governor Sani to assist us by completing the road so that we can enjoy our businesses.”
Managing Director, Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA), Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, said all abandoned urban road projects inherited from the previous administration, would be completed in due course, including those in the rural areas: “Governor Sani’s administration recognises that well-constructed roads are the backbone of economic activities, connecting farmers to markets, schools and healthcare facilities.
“The achievements we celebrate thus far are not just about roads and bridges; they represent our commitment to building a more connected, prosperous and inclusive Kaduna State. Government will also address the needs of the urban poor, who have been marginalised and disconnected from dividends of democracy.”