By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

Residents and motorists using the Kafanchan dualisation township road in the Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State have expressed their frustration over the sluggish pace of the ongoing road rehabilitation project being undertaken by the state government, urging Governor Una Sani to come to their rescue.

ELANZA NEWS reports that many residents and motorists have voiced their concerns regarding the slow progress of the project, which was initiated under the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai as part of an urban renewal initiative in 2020.

The vital interstate road connects Kagoro, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwoi, Abuja, and Madakiya, Kaduna. Unfortunately, it has fallen into disrepair, causing travelers to be stranded for hours at various sections.

Our correspondent notes that the reconstruction of the Kafanchan dualisation roads from the NEPA Roundabout to Ungwa-Rimi bridge was one of the 26.3 kilometers awarded to Rafali Nigeria Limited, while 18 single-lane roads were contracted to Farmtrac Nigeria Limited, totaling N12.8 billion in October 2020, with a completion deadline set for 18 months.

However, ELANZA NEWS investigations reveal that many motorists were left stranded on the dilapidated road on Saturday, enduring hours of delays at heavily flooded areas. Reports indicate that heavy-duty trucks became stuck from the Kafanchan Roundabout to the Emir’s Palace gate, further exacerbating the traffic congestion, especially following recent rain.

In light of this frustrating situation, several motorists and road users who spoke with ELANZA NEWS highlighted their ongoing concerns about the road’s condition. Motorist Ango Adamu remarked, “The road is dirty, stinking, and flooded during the rainy season, raising serious public health concerns.”

Adamu added, “Along with myself, several motorists were stuck on that collapsed road, which is being rehabilitated at an annoyingly slow pace.”

Other motorists echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the road’s poor condition not only hinders their travel from the NEPA Roundabout to the Emir’s Palace but also endangers their lives and vehicles. They noted that motorists frequently become targets for criminals when stranded in these vulnerable areas.

Pastor Gideon Mutum, a local resident, observed that the road project is long overdue for completion. He pointed out that other similar projects in the state have been completed while Kafanchan’s remains unfinished. “We are grateful that the contractors are still on-site, seemingly working,” he commented.

Mutum suggested that the contractor prioritize fixing one lane at a time to alleviate congestion, as many local businesses have suffered due to the road’s condition. He added, “Southern Kaduna was neglected during the El-Rufai administration. We suffered greatly, but we are beginning to see some compassion and political maturity from the current Governor Uba Sani.”

He further claimed, “El-Rufai’s administration was marked by hatred and bigotry. In contrast, Uba Sani’s administration has shown empathy towards our struggles, particularly regarding road projects and security.”

Mutum urged Gov Sani to leverage available resources to expedite the road’s completion, emphasizing its economic significance as a route for travelers to Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jos.

Commercial vehicle driver Salisu Ibrahim lamented the dire state of the uncompleted road, stating, “Commuters from across the country are enduring significant hardships while traveling this route. The potholes and bad sections lead to frequent accidents, resulting in loss of life as motorists can no longer identify safe areas to drive.”

Ibrahim insisted that the ongoing delays have led to a loss of hope regarding the project’s quality and completion. He added, “Motorists, motorcyclists, and residents using the Kafanchan township road are facing severe difficulties, especially since the alternative route has been rendered impassable by rain.”

He questioned whether the contractors had been adequately mobilized to handle the project efficiently.

In response, Kasim Grema, Chairman of Rafali Construction Company Limited, attributed the project delays to the country’s economic situation. “The major challenges we face include price fluctuations for materials. We have approached the Kaduna Road Agency, which has communicated with the governor to arrange discussions on how to move forward with the project,” Grema stated.

He noted, “When the project began, a bag of cement cost N4,500, but now it is priced between N8,500 and N9,000. The cost of iron rods has surged from approximately N300,000 to N400,000 per ton to about N1.6 million now, affecting our work pace.”

Grema confirmed that they have completed about 68% of the road work and expressed optimism about completing it promptly once they finalize discussions with the government. He thanked Gov Sani for establishing a committee to oversee the Kafanchan township dualisation road project, anticipating that their report would lead to necessary actions for completion.

In his remarks, Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, Managing Director of the Kaduna State Roads Agency, announced that Gov Sani has approved the final payment for the road project to ensure its swift completion. He explained that delays were primarily due to inflationary pressures on building materials and the contractor’s request for an extension, which has been granted.

Ahmed reiterated that the administration’s slogan, “sustain,” reflects its commitment to completing all inherited projects. He noted, “Rafali Construction Company has been granted a 12-month extension to finalize the work.”

He acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the current administration, which inherited significant liabilities but reassured the public that prioritizing and completing existing projects remains a top focus.

Furthermore, Ahmed emphasized the government’s commitment to alleviating poverty and enhancing infrastructure, stating, “The ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ is designed to benefit both urban and rural areas.”

He confirmed that only one payment remains for Rafali and assured that the governor had been informed about the project’s status. Ahmed expressed optimism that the contractor would expedite completion despite the ongoing rainy season, which may pose challenges.

“Road construction involves multiple facets, including concreting, asphalting, and artwork. We are confident that the contractor is committed to delivering quality work for the people of Kafanchan and its surroundings,” Ahmed concluded.