From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A group under the auspices of Southern Kaduna Political appointees have lauded Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani for the ongoing road and infrastructure construction in the Zone, saying it has become a beehive of activities with ongoing constructions.
The Group said this during a field visit to some of the projects within the Zone.
According to them, the Zone has been silent as far as construction is concerned for years until the coming of Gov.Uba Sani.
Speaking at the ongoing 20-kilometer U/, Rimi to NEPA Roundabout, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. James Atung Kanyip, Said the coming of the Uba Sani administration is a blessing to the southern Kaduna people, and as political appointees from the zone they are great full to the Governor.
“The 20-kilometer Road would be of benefit, especially to people coming to Kafancha and those coming from far away to celebrate Christmas will have a good road to ply, we want to use this opportunity again to appreciate his excellency.”
He added that asides the recent project, there are so many others the Governor has embarked on to complete in southern Kaduna like the Gwantu Godogodo road which is about 22 kilometers and is almost completed.
“The first quarter of next year we should be able to commission that road. Also, the skill acquisition city in Samaru Zango Kataf is going to be filled with world-class materials.
“Our youths will be productive in various skills they can acquire so that they can be better economically and also beneficial to society.
“So, on behalf of all the appointees in southern Kaduna, we want to appreciate his excellency for all of this progress.
“And let’s not forget the science school, world-class in Mancho on your way to Jos. That itself is a wonderful achievement, and it was commissioned early this year.
“Our youths will be doing sciences so that they can be educationally empowered,” he said
Similarly, The Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Jerry Adams who is from the zone noted that Kaduna State has become a beehive of activities with construction going on and the Southern Kaduna zone is no exception.
According to him, the Governor has so much going on for Southern Kaduna in terms of appointments, infrastructural developments, and others.
He however, observed that all planned projects couldn’t have been possible without the compliance of tax payers.
“As a tax person, I know that all these cannot be possible without funding and we know the debt profile of Kaduna State.
“There’s so much debt on us, direct deduction of VAT, direct deduction from our IGR account.
“So, we are calling on all taxpayers to please pay taxes on time and comply with the regulations.
“It’s a civic responsibility to all eligible taxpayers to pay tax because there’s no Country that has ever developed when people don’t pay tax.
“If people pay tax, you will become a stakeholder in the society and be able to ask what the Government is doing and we will be able to show it.
“So far, we see that not just Southern Kaduna but the entire Kaduna State has become a construction ground.
“The Governor is doing his best despite the lean resources available and in just one year, he has done a lot.
“We are grateful to him, and I call on Kaduna State people to give him their maximum support, continue to pray for him, and wish him well.”
In his remarks, the managing director of KADRA, Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, who led the political appointees on the visit, said the State is satisfied with the level and quality of work done on the projects particular project, especially the U/Rimi – NEPA Road in Kafachan.
“This is one of the projects we inherited from the previous Administration, despite the fact that it was awarded sometime in 2020 with only 30 percent completion.
“So, the Administration of Sen. Uba Sani is determined to complete the remaining 70 percent of these projects.
“After a series of negotiations, the quotation was reviewed, and the cost of this project was down from about ₦13 billion to about 9.3 Billion Naira.
“I’m happy to announce that this Administration of Sen. Uba Sani has approved the funds with immediate disbursement of about 50 percent to the contractor.
“We are hoping to see a significant project before Christmas. This road is not only a local road within Kafanchan, it also serves as a link to any State in the country connecting to the FCT.
“Upon completion, this road will stimulate economic activities; it will improve the lives and the livelihoods of the people of Southern Kaduna and the entire region.
“From here, we will proceed to inspect other projects within the Zone like the 22.8km asphaltic road from Madauchi to Kafanchan Suru Madakiya.
“It is not an ordinary road, but it’s designed like the one in modern countries, and there’s another 22.5km road asphatic road with two major bridges from Kibam to Godogodo.
“So, we are witnessing a series of construction in terms of road infrastructures in Southern Kaduna.
“We inherited a lot of debt, and we aggregate these projects that we inherited, and we are prioritizing them.
“This is one of the major projects we prioritized in Kaduna Town. We have taken Raba road to the train station, Rigassa, another major project that we inherited and prioritized.
“We are committed to completing it the contractors are back on site, they have been paid about five billion as well, to continue with the work.
“There are others, too, and as the funds are coming, we are prioritizing them and working towards completion to deliver this road infrastructure development.
“We have reviewed the program of works and we have strictly given the contractor six weeks to deliver.
“So, the contractor is expected to deliver this project within six calendar weeks,” he said.
