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.
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.
UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.
Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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