Economy
Governor Uba Sani Has Spent N8.2bn On Kabala-Costain Road: KADRA MD
Governor Uba Sani Has Spent N8.2bn On Kabala-Costain Road: KADRA MD
Governor Uba Sani has spent N8.2bn on Kabala-Costain road: KADRA MD. He said Mr Sani cleared the inherited debt of N2.2 billion owed the contractor and mobilised CCECC to site with N6 billion.
Governor Uba Sani has disbursed a total of N8.2 billion for both the payment of inherited debt and mobilizing contractors to complete the abandoned Kabala-Costain road project.
Giving an update on the project, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency(KADRA), Dr Abdullahi Baba Ahmed said that the project was abandoned by the previous administration due to major design flaws and funding challenges.
Dr Ahmed who spoke with newsmen when he visited the project site with his team, explained that Governor Uba Sani cleared the inherited debt of N2.2 billion owed the contractor and mobilized CCECC to site with N6 billion.
The Managing Director further explained that a total of N8.2 billion has been expended on the project, promising that the road will be ready next year.
He further explained that Governor Uba Sani had inherited the Kabala-Costain road project at only 35 percent completion, contrary to the false claims of the previous administration.
Speaking at the project site, the Chief Consultant of the road dualisation project, Engr Shakirudeen Adesina Akinloye recalled that the contract was awarded in 2020 but the project was stalled in 2022, due to major design flaws and payment issues, forcing the contractor, CCECC, to suspend work.
The Chief Consultant further explained that the Uba Sani administration did not only revive the project, but also cleared a ₦2.2 billion debt owed by the previous government.
“The project stopped at 35 percent before the current administration took over. When we resumed, we discovered the initial design was unsafe, it had a sharp curve immediately after the bridge, which could cause accidents. We redesigned it to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety,” he said.
According to Engr Akintoye, the intervention of Governor Uba Sani prevented further deterioration of the site.
“The initial design had engineering flaws. The redesign now includes a gentle curve and a second bridge to address flooding and safety concerns. Safety comes first in engineering,” he added.
The Chief Consultant disclosed that the new design also has an additional bridge similar to first one, to handle waterlogging challenges, as soil tests showed the subsoil depth in the area is about nine meters.
“Rather than spending more to stabilize the soil, the present government approved a second bridge, which is both faster and cheaper,” he clarified.
Explaining further, the Managing Director of KADRA, corroborated the consultant’s statement, stressing that the project was abandoned midway by the last administration.
Dr Baba Ahmed also reiterated that the Governor Uba Sani administration inherited the project at just 35 percent completion.
He said only one bridge and about 600 meters of road, out of the total 2.7 kilometres, were completed before the project was abandoned, representing roughly 22 percent of the total work scope.
“This administration came on board in 2023 and revived the project. It paid an outstanding ₦2.2 billion owed to the contractor and released an additional 50 percent advance payment for outstanding works,” Dr. Ahmed said.
The MD of KADRA dismissed reports that the previous government achieved up to 70 percent completion, describing the claim as “pure misinformation.”
“It’s simple arithmetic, not mathematics. Six hundred meters out of 2.7 kilometres is 22 percent. This administration is constructing the remaining 2.1 kilometres and a second bridge,” he clarified.
Dr. Baba Ahmed also explained that new engineering solutions became necessary after investigations revealed that the initial alignment narrowed the water channel, causing flooding during the rainy season.

Kaduna State Government
“We had two options, either spend heavily on soil stabilization or extend the bridge. We chose the latter because it’s safer and cost-effective,” he said.
The MD commended Governor Uba Sani for taking the bull by the horns to complete the project despite the financial burden that his administration inherited.
“This administration is committed to delivering quality infrastructure. It didn’t abandon the contractor’s debt, it paid it off and pushed for speedy completion,” the KADRA boss added.
Project Manager for CCECC Kaduna Office, Mr. Henry Zhang, also confirmed that the project stalled due to unpaid certificates and adverse ground conditions, adding that the company had since received advance payment from the present government and that they have resumed full-scale operations.
“With the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, the project has been revived and is progressing smoothly. We are determined to deliver a high-quality road that will improve traffic flow, connect communities, and support Kaduna’s economic growth,” Zhang said.
The Kabala–Costain dualisation project, spanning 2.7 kilometres, links Aliyu Makama Road and Costain Junction in Kaduna North.
When completed, it is expected to ease traffic congestion, prevent flooding, and enhance economic connectivity between Kaduna North and Kaduna South.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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