El-Rufa’i Moves To Put Kaduna Back On Mega-City Top League


NABILAH HASSAN UMAR

Globally, urban renew­al has been embarked upon by public offi­cials and private in­stitutions to improve cities’ structures and to enhance their economic, cultural and social qualities.

After the Great Depression of the 1930s, President Frank­lin D. Roosevelt, in trying to address the immediate econom­ic crisis of America, came up with the urban-centered New Deal Programme, which used public-works jobs to reduce unemployment, stimulate local economies, and subsidise state and local relief for the unem­ployable poor while bringing some changes in the structure and design of the cities.

In 19th Century England, rapid industrialisation of cit­ies brought about cramped and unsanitary living conditions for the urban poor. Therefore, the concept of urban renewal emerged as a method for social reform with the belief that bet­ter housing conditions in a city would increase the capacity to reform its residents morally and economically.

According to Business Dic­tionary, Urban Renewal is de­fined as ‘the process where an urban neighbourhood or area is improved and rehabilitated. The renewal process can in­clude demolishing old or run-down buildings, constructing new, up-to-date housing’.

In Nigeria, two places that come in mind, in terms of infrastructural development are Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos State. In evidence in these cities, are expansive road networks, mod­ernised building structures, availability of relaxation spots, quality schools, advanced and accessible healthcare facilities and tourist attractions.

With all its reputation as the political centre of the north, Kaduna has lacked such in­frastructures. Yet, the state’s population is currently ap­proaching 10 million, with an estimated 4 million of them liv­ing in the Kaduna urban area. It is projected that by 2050, the population will rise 12.96 mil­lion based on a 3.18 per cent growth rate, with about 7-8 mil­lion people living in the state’s urban settlements. This un­derscores the urgent need for a coordinated and sustainable Urban Renewal Project.

In his remarks at the launch of the project in June 2019, Gov­ernor Nasir El-Rufai said: “The Kaduna Urban Renewal Project responds to the accelerated ur­banisation of Kaduna City. Our state capital now straddles four local government areas: Kadu­na North, Kaduna South, Chi­kun and Igabi. This metropoli­tan area is projected to be home to more than half of the state’s population by 2050. Kaduna Re­newal seeks to make Kaduna a friendly home to its residents, a safe place to live in, equipped to support and promote the liveli­hoods of our citizens.”

The first phase of the Urban renewal is targeted at Kaduna metropolis, and focuses on road expansion/maintenance, housing and improved land use, mass transit, parks and recreational centres, market and neighborhood centres. Its execution adheres strictly to the 1967 Max Locke Master Plan of Kaduna. The Urban re­newal project will subsequent­ly be extended to Kafachan and Zaria, the two other major cit­ies in the state.

To start with, 7 new roads totalling 23.7km have been identified that will signifi­cantly have multiplier effect on housing, businesses, unity and social development. One of such new roads that stands out is, the Kabala Costain Aliyu Makama road in Barnawa. The 1.4km road, which will pick up from Independence Way, will cut through Kabala Costain; cross over River Kaduna with a bridge of 230mm; and link up with Aliyu Makama road in Barnawa. The project will sig­nificantly reduce traffic across the historical Stadium round­about – Station Market Bridge.

Over the years, residents of Kaduna have had to bear with the constant time-consuming traffic on the historic River Ka­duna Bridge, especially during rush hours as people move to and fro their places of work. The completion of this new road and bridge will provide an alternative route for residents, reducing time travel and the traffic burden on the former bridge.

Another project that will greatly improve traffic in the State when completed is the road from Rabah by Arewa House to the Rigasa Train Station. This road will pick up from the Arewa House junc­tion and pass through Ungu­wan Kanawa, to burst out on Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way, and continue through Eye Centre resettlement layout to connect with Rigasa Train Station. Linking Eastern to Western bypass, the road will feature a flyover and under­pass for maximum efficiency. The flyover will pick up from the Rabah road across the Are­wa House junction and over the rail line running parallel to the road, to descending at Unguwan Kanawa. While the Underpass will pick up at the edge of the NDA old site golf course, go beneath Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way linking to the other side of the road in Eye Centre.

Governor El-Rufa’i has shown commitment to ensur­ing that train commuters in Kaduna encounter as little hurdles as possible. Apart from the dualisation of Rigasa road from Nnamdi Azikiwe Express­way to the train station, which was completed early 2019, he also initiated and completed the construction of a link road from the train station, to the roundabout leading to the Air­port, reducing travel time and serving as an alternative route for commuters.

Similarly, a new road link­ing Millennium City to Yakowa Way has been highlighted for construction. This road, to be called Urban Shelter Road, will save commuters the trouble of having to return to Unguwan Rimi before going to and from the two roads. It will be a direct link for residents of Kamazo, Karji, Jan Ruwa and Unguwan Maigero to Millennium city.

Apart from the new roads being constructed, some exist­ing roads have been penciled for dualisation or other appro­priate forms of improvement due to the strategic role they play to residents. A couple of them, including Katuru Road that links Isa Kaita to Rabah and Alkali roads, from Ali Aki­lu way to Race Course, are al­most at completion stage and have been open to road users.

Worthy of mention also, is the commencement of the con­version of the Kawo flyover bridge to a double three-lane flyover bridge with three ro­taries (roundabouts) under­neath. The bridge will also be extended in length to begin from Hayin Banki and end at 1 Div gate while the three ro­taries will serve commuters from Hayin-Banki, Kawo and Mando each. The creation of alternate roads has already be­gun, to ease traffic when work begins in earnest.

Beyond road construction, other components of the urban renewal programme have been going on simultaneously. The historical Gen Hassan Usman Katsina Park is undergoing total reconstruction to give it the befitting status it deserves. The park will house a movie theatre, a sports arcade and the zoological garden, which will be stocked with more animals. There will also be a Go-Kart track as well as three different water parks, one of which has been completed and open to the public.

The Centenary Park, named in honour of Kaduna marking 100 years, is far gone in con­struction and was the venue for the first ever Kaduna New year Countdown celebration, which has been termed by many as successful in enhancing unity in the State. Upon completion, the park will house a Go-Kart track, two football 5-aside pitches, an event centre and an amusement park for kids.

Construction of the Galaxy Mall, a standard shopping mall located on Waff Road, has been progressing steadi­ly and has already attracted investors like Shoprite and leading cinema operators like Silverbird. It is to be complet­ed in December 2020. Through the Kaduna Markets Develop­ment Company, regular mar­kets are also being construct­ed and rehabilitated across the state. One of such is the Kasuwan Magani Market in Kajuru LGA. The over-crowd­ed Sabon-Gari market in Zaria is to be demolished and recon­structed into a modern mar­ket capable of answering the needs of the people and ensur­ing their safety.

Ultimately the benefits of these urban renewal projects to the people of Kaduna is immeasurable, and include job opportunities and overall economic growth, in terms of increase in the value of prop­erty and increased IGR.

In the first four years of El-Rufai’s administration, he focused on creating insti­tutions to support the urban renewal efforts. The Kaduna Investment Promotion Agen­cy KADIPA was established to attract and create an inves­tor -friendly environment in the State. Also established is the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service, which since its es­tablishment has exponential­ly increased the state’s IGR from N800 million before the El-Rufai led administration to 44 billion in 2019.

The task of turning Kadu­na State from its static and outdated self to a progressive modernised place is no small feat, and Malam Nasir El-Ru­fa’i seems to have held the bull by the horn.

A few years from now, Ka­duna State will look nothing like its old self as the few proj­ects mentioned here are said to be just a tip of the iceberg. Full-blown, they will result in a Kaduna of which great coun­trymen like Sardauna will cer­tainly be proud of.

Nabilah wrote from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Ka­duna.

More like kidnap capital of the north

Is he doing it across Kaduna? Or just one-two local governments.






Separate politics from development.

Kingspin:
Is he doing it across Kaduna? Or just one-two local governments.

Don't mind him. It's just around capital city and maybe Zaria. The rest of kaduna is a story for another day

How can he est.a mega city where kidnapping, cultism, religious intolerance and banditry holds sway. He should channel the resources of kaduna state in protecting lives and properties any other move is a No No for me.

Kaduna is not a mega city!

Do you know what a mega city is??

Solve d problem of insecurity and development will be topnotch. Or else ds miscreants will destroy them cos they have no value for anything.
They destroyed and burnt down mast, transformers, etc in garkida

Tell Rufai, Mega City status and development does not come from infrastructural concretes alone. He must first respect and practice diversity in his state. He is a known bigot and discriminates and persecutes Christians in his State. Mega city is not about eye candy....it is about loving in your spirit for others what you love for yourself.

Kingspin:
Is he doing it across Kaduna? Or just one-two local governments.






Separate politics from development.

He is going in 4 local government kaduna north, kaduna south, zaria and kafanchan.

naptu2:
Kaduna is not a mega city!

Do you know what a mega city is??

Yes, unlike Umuleri and Uguleri that are mega city of garbages.

vhykeeytor:
How can he est.a mega city where kidnapping, cultism, religious intolerance and banditry holds sway. He should channel the resources of kaduna state in protecting lives and properties any other move is a No No for me.

People of hate have arrive, do you think kaduna has cultism besides kidnapping and banditry is on.practiced in some few local governments not the three main cities listed

StreetFight:


Yes, unlike Umuleri and Uguleri that are mega city of garbages.

What the heck are you talking about and how is it related to my post??

naptu2:
Kaduna is not a mega city!

Do you know what a mega city is??

Kaduna is becoming one, when new millinum city, kamazo and other's are linked by the new roads his creating if you know kaduna you will know what am talking about, kaduna already has a 30 years master plan dose any state in the south east have such

NGpatriot:
As usual hateful and bitter Igbos are mad and upset over Kaduna and their wonderful development instead of worrying about their own wheelbarrow and kerosene villages and useless governors..

Sad..

I don't know what the problem of this people is, is it the south is that is now safe, kaduna is set to take back it past glory and this people will cry

Topxcel:
Solve d problem of insecurity and development will be topnotch. Or else ds miscreants will destroy them cos they have no value for anything.
They destroyed and burnt down mast, transformers, etc in garkida

Please just tell me the insecurities in the places listed. Iyamiri kawai

spendoon:

Kaduna is becoming one, when new millinum city, kamazo and other's are linked by the new roads his creating if you know kaduna you will know what am talking about, kaduna already has a 30 years master plan dose any state in the south east have such

You don't understand what I'm talking about, so I'll explain it to you.

I am very much aware of the commendable developments going on in Kaduna. I follow most of the Kaduna Government handles and I have friends and relatives that live there, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the term "mega city".

The term mega city does not mean "the best city". It means a city with a population of more than 10 million people. Lagos is a mega city because it has more than 20 million people. Kaduna is not a mega city because the population is well below 10 million. In fact, the entire state of Kaduna is not up to 10 million.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacity

MetaPhysical:
[/s]

Tell Rufai, Mega City status and development does not come from infrastructural concretes alone. He must first respect and practice diversity in his state. He is a known bigot and discriminates and persecutes Christians in his State. Mega city is not about eye candy....it is about loving in your spirit for others what you love for yourself.

So el rufai isnt developing kaduna south and kafanchan right? if you dont have anything to say just Bleep off

StreetFight:


Yes, unlike Umuleri and Uguleri that are mega city of garbages.

Now i know why this people always complain a of Nigeria, just imagine the hate in this people to condam such development is it because there is nothing like it in their south east

naptu2:


You don't understand what I'm talking about, so I'll explain it to you.

I am very much aware of the commendable developments going on in Kaduna. I follow most of the Kaduna Government handles and I have friends and relatives that live there, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the term "mega city".

The term mega city does not mean "the best city". It means a city with a population of more than 10 million people. Lagos is a mega city because it has more than 20 million people. Kaduna is not a mega city because the population is well below 10 million. In fact, the entire state of Kaduna is not up to 10 million.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacity

Ok i thought you were one of those people filled with hate

spendoon:

Kaduna is becoming one, when new millinum city, kamazo and other's are linked by the new roads his creating if you know kaduna you will know what am talking about, kaduna already has a 30 years master plan dose any state in the south east have such

I didn't see the part in bold initially. What the heck does my post have to do with the south east??

spendoon:

So el rufai isnt developing kaduna south and kafanchan right? if you dont have anything to say just Bleep off

The people of South Kaduna wants love and security and inclusion. They dont need Rufai to develop them. If they are included and not discriminated they can take turn at governorship and develop South Kaduna on their own.

Get sense!

naptu2:


I didn't see the part in bold initially. What the heck does my post have to do with the south east??

From your post anyone will know you are an igbo filled with hate for Nigerians

spendoon:

From your post anyone will know you are an igbo filled with hate for Nigerians

OOOOOOooooooooh!! So I'm now an "Igbo filled with hate for Nigerians"??


Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

MetaPhysical:


The people of South Kaduna wants love and security and inclusion. They dont need Rufai to develop them. If they are included and not discriminated they can take turn at governorship and develop South Kaduna on their own.

Get sense!

Which stupid love, so you prefer a stupid political seat than good roads,but Morden market's etc right?

naptu2:


OOOOOOooooooooh!! So I'm now an "Igbo filled with hate for Nigerians"??


Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

See anything you say won't stop the fact that kaduna is developing everyday

Nothing like Sabo, Television, Romi, Maraba Rido, southern part of the state.

spendoon:

See anything you say won't stop the fact that kaduna is developing everyday

When you have no points at all, instead of using common sense, you resort to throwing labels around.

Where did I say anything about development in Kaduna?

Where did I say anything about the east?

I said that Kaduna is not a mega city because its population is not up to 10 million. Is that not true?

Are you incapable of reading and comprehending simple posts?

spendoon:

Which stupid love, so you prefer a stupid political seat than good roads,but Morden market's etc right?

and when you dispatch fulani herdsmen and bandits to go massacre them in their villages what use is the road and market to murdered people?

Get sense!

Ladiesdoctor:
Nothing like Sabo, Television, Romi, Maraba Rido, southern part of the state.

Balant lie, do your research well besides why the rush won't you allow him to finish with the main commercial and business area before coming to your side chill

MetaPhysical:


and when you dispatch fulani herdsmen and bandits to go massacre them in their villages what use is the road and market to murdered people?

Get sense!

Why can't you be honest haba fulani bandits that are attacking Hausa people is it now el rufai that will now send them to kill people ? Why will he even do that, of what gain.I sense you are one of those igbos living in kaduna south because any true person from kaduna won't condemn this projects