Kaduna state government has launched the most comprehensive urban renewal project in the history of the state.
The Executive Governor of the state, Mallam Nasir El-rufai said this during the signing of MoU with the officials of CCECC in Kaduna on Thursday.
The governor said the urban road projects will begin with the state capital Kaduna.
He said these series of investments in urban road infrastructure envisaged to also cover two other main cities of Zaria and Kafanchan will improve the competitiveness, support economic dynamism and promote the well-being of the good people of Kaduna state.
“The Kaduna Urban Renewal Project responds to the accelerated urbanisation of Kaduna City. Our state capital straddles four local government areas: Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun & Igabi. This metropolitan area may be home to more than half of the state’s residents by 2050.” He said.
The Governor during his speech not only acknowledged the fact that Kaduna city has grown tremendously in the 100 years since its founding, but added that the public infrastructure in the city has not kept pace with the vast increase in its population
He said the present infrastructure is not robust enough to support the current population of Kaduna state, let alone cater for the projected population.
“Along with ongoing social sector investments in education and healthcare, concrete upgrades in housing, transportation, energy systems and other infrastructure will create jobs, improve the welfare of our people and enhance economic activity.”
“The roads component of Kaduna Renewal will open up the city and connect communities. It will create alternative roads and reduce travel time, from north to south, and east to west.”
”This will have a multiplier effect on housing, business and social development. It is also expected to promote integration across communities and enhance unity.” He said.
The state government said it will begin with the construction of seven new roads, spanning 23.4km, within Kaduna metropolis. All the roads selected are based on the Max Lock Masterplan for Kaduna city. Fourteen existing roads will also be dualised or upgraded.
The new roads to be built will connect Kabala Costain to Aliyu Makama Road and Malali to College Road. Another 9.65km road will connect Rabah Road to Nnamdi Azikiwe Road (the Western By-pass) and link to the Rigasa train station.
He further added that the state government will built qnother 5.73km road in order to connect the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua road in Millennium City to the Eastern By-pass.
The urban renewal project will not only dualise WAFF Road, from the NEPA Roundabout to Essence Junction, it will also dualise Yakubu Gowon Way and build an underpass at Leventis Roundabout. Addijg that several other roads will be upgraded, including Alkali Road, Tafawa Balewa, and Swimming Pool Road among others.
“Poly Road to Dutsenman Road via Kasuwan Barci Roundabout, Kinshasha Road, Katuru Road, and Shehu-Lamin to Ramat Road in Ungwan Rimi. The 4km Nasarawa to Flour Mill road will be completed.” El-rufai said.
He further added that “The roads captured in the Kaduna Renewal project represent a significant investment in the present and the future of our capital city. They have to be constructed and delivered to world-class standards in reasonable time, with markings, solar lighting and shoulders.”
“That is why we are today signing a Memorandum of Understanding with CCECC to build all the new roads and upgrade the existing ones. It is my understanding that CCECC will today flag-off the 5.73km road project to link Millennium City to the Eastern By-pass.” He said.
El-rufai also called on the public to support the delivery of these projects for the benefit of all the people of Kaduna state, saying that widening roads will not only require the removal of buildings and attachments in the public interest, but Construction work will also impose some temporary inconveniences.
