Kaduna residents decry abandoned road, drainage projects

Residents of Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State have lamented the abandonment of several road and drainage projects in their community. Their concerns come despite claims by the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, that it is pursuing rural and urban renewal projects with urgency across the state, particularly in parts […]

Residents of Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State have lamented the abandonment of several road and drainage projects in their community.

Their concerns come despite claims by the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, that it is pursuing rural and urban renewal projects with urgency across the state, particularly in parts of Southern Kaduna.

In May 2025, Governor Sani flagged off several roads in Kafanchan, stating that his administration was completing projects initiated by the Mallam Nasir El-Rufai administration, many of which form part of the Urban Renewal programme.

The government claimed some of these projects had been abandoned or left unfinished before the end of the previous administration.

However, some residents told Daily Trust that the non-completion of these projects has led to frequent flooding and road accidents.

One of them, Aliyu Abba, alleged that the projects within the areas awarded during the El-Rufai administration covered about 28 kilometres, but only around 10 kilometres were completed before the work was halted by the current administration.

He listed areas worst affected by flooding due to the lack of proper drainage as Zaria Street, Sokoto Street, Soba Street, Borno Street, Kano Street, Bida Street, and Hadejia Street, among others.

“We, the people of Kafanchan, are calling on the Kaduna State Government and the governor to come to our aid,” Abba said.

“Specifically this rainy season, our people are facing serious problems. Houses are collapsing due to erosion, and some residents have had to create alternative pathways to access their homes. We have recorded more than 30 casualties who are now in hospitals.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, expressed concern about health risks from stagnant water caused by the broken drainage system.

“When it rains, water flows into people’s homes. The environment is in terrible shape, and because of that, mosquitoes have multiplied, leading to many cases of malaria. People here are just tired of complaining about the abandoned roads,” the resident said.

They claimed that contractors removed their equipment and abandoned the site, leaving the community vulnerable to further damage.

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mock Samuel Kure, dismissed claims that the current administration had abandoned projects in Kafanchan.

According to him, Governor Sani, despite inheriting a huge debt burden and heavy debt servicing obligations, has ensured that no project is left abandoned.

He said the governor had not only continued inherited projects but also initiated new ones in Jema’a Local Government and neighbouring areas.

Kure stressed that where there are delays in road completion, it is because the government is ensuring proper water infrastructure is in place before finalizing the roadworks.

He added that the government also extended work beyond roads, focusing on realigning the water recirculation system to address flood and sanitation concerns.

“We want to provide water to people’s homes and at the same time give them access to proper roads,” he said. “The urban renewal project started with the water recirculation system. Without adequate water supply, there is a risk of cholera outbreaks — something the government has been battling.”

He said the road was abandoned by the previous administration, adding that Governor Sani had resumed the project, and completed significant parts of it.

“As far as road construction is concerned, the contractor is on site. We in Jema’a are the most privileged in the state — no other area has seen the quantum of work the governor is doing here compared to ours,” Kure said.