Uba Sani breaking new ground

Largely, politics thrives on doublespeak, outright denials and policy walkbacks as politicians seldom walk their campaign talks. As yet, Senator Uba Sani, the Kaduna state governor, is an exception to the rule in terms of infrastructural development. The governor, from the get-go, has been committed to rural transformation. Clearly, he stated this priority at the hustings, solicited votes on that premise and in part, got elected on the promise of rural revival. Indeed, on assuming office, he activated his master plan, mobilised to the site and rolled up his sleeves, unleashing a raft of projects as he did.

Previously, the El-Rufai administration, according to him, had focused on urban renewal and the programme, he pointed out, has received wide acclaim. However, he promised to break new ground and in no time, the governor has performed several groundbreaking ceremonies, especially in the hinterland. Indeed, bulldozers, loaders and excavators are now working at a frenetic pace, executing projects in several locations in Kaduna state.

Specifically, the rural transformation journey started last September, with the flagging off of the 21.7-kilometer road, linking Anchau, and Gadas-Palla road in Kubau and Ikara local governments. The road, when completed, will address the transportation challenges of 32 communities. Similarly, two months later, the governor performed a more colourful, elaborate and expanded groundbreaking event at Kudan local government in November.

At that time, the people had welcomed the governor, in their thousands, with endearing slogans, songs of praise and sundry epithets at the groundbreaking. “Balaraben gwamna”, “Uban Alheri,’’ and “Mai Nasara”, rented the air as the chief executive of Kaduna state and his entourage, including commissioners, political associates and senior government officials, arrived at Hunkuyi town, headquarters of Kudan local government. Specifically, he flagged off the construction of a 10.2-kilometre feeder road, stretching from Dan Makwarwa to Hunkuyi.

Last year, the rural transformation train, on December 23, also arrived at the Zone 3 terminus, where the governor flagged off roads, drainages and culvert construction across the eight local governments in Southern Kaduna. The projects are spread across Jaba, Zangon Kataf, Kagarko, Sanga, Kaura, Kauru, Kachia and Jema’a local governments.

Similarly, on December 31, Senator Uba Sani performed another groundbreaking event, for an 18-kilometre road construction, linking Sanga local government to Jemaá Area Council. The road, from Gwantu, through Kiban, will provide forward and backward linkages to farmers and markets, and reduce post-harvest losses, cost of transportation and travel time. Besides, it will employ the skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled during the construction period.

Likewise, Zone 2 witnessed its share of groundbreaking last Monday, with the flagging off of two rural roads. Specifically, a 35-kilometre road will be constructed from Gadan Gayan, through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction, linking Igabi and Chikun local governments, in Kaduna Central senatorial districts. Similarly, the 6-kilometre College Road will be built in Sabon Tasha, from Signboard through Juji, connecting the Eastern Bypass.

Significantly, in the last eight months, the Uba Sani administration has started fulfilling a key component of its rural transformation agenda. Road projects, construction of culverts and installation of street lights are ongoing in all three zones or senatorial districts. Indeed, bridging the infrastructural gap between urban and rural areas is a strong pillar of the SUSTAIN manifesto, a covenant between the Kaduna state government and its citizens. So far, the governor has kept his promise of rural transformation.