Those who are familiar with Kaduna will concede to the indisputable fact
\nthat the\u00a0 capital of former Northern Region has never had it so good in
\nterms of infrastructural revolution and development since its creation
\non May 27, 1967. Thanks to the avowed commitment of the Governor Mallam
\nNasir el-Rufai to frontally address the yawning gap in infrastructural
\nall over the state. It was his resolve and determination to turn the
\nstate into an investment hub and make life better for citizens. To this
\nend the governor has awarded contracts for several road projects under
\nthe Kaduna Urban Renewal Programme. Despite the challenges faced by the
\nstate as a result of the global pandemic and other hash economic
\nrealities,\u00a0 government has taken a deliberate step at investing in the
\nurban renewal project because no state could function well without
\nopening the space with good roads. At the moment Kaduna has become a
\nconstruction site.\u00a0 Many dilapidated roads are currently expanded or
\nduallised making Kaduna one of the most beautiful and organised state
\ncapitals in Nigeria. The programme is not only limited to Kaduna city
\ncentre alone, work is also ongoing in other satellite towns of Zaria and
\nKafanchan. The phase one project which consists of twenty one roads and
\nbridges criss-crossing all the nooks and crannies of the three zones of
\nthe state are at completion and or at advanced stages. The urban renewal
\ninitiative has no doubt opened up the state to a more meaningful and
\ndelightful transportation and vehicular movement experience.<\/p>\n
With the programme delivery, Kaduna public will heave a sigh of relief
\nwith the incessant nightmarish driving experience occasioned by
\ncongestion within and outside the metropolis. This has given the people
\nof the state another opportunity to relish on the pleasure of easy and
\ncomfortable movement of people, goods and services.\u00a0 Accordingly,
\ncommendations from residents have trailed the good intention of the
\nstate government for initiating the laudable urban renewal programme.
\n\u201cBefore now, the traffic gridlock snailing through most of the major
\nroads in Kaduna is terrible but today things are gradually changing. One
\ncan now drive without any problem. The roads are also of quality
\nstandard too,” said Musa Adamu a bus driver.
\nApart from the roads under construction, the building of a new Kaduna
\nGalaxy Mall which is adjudged to be sitting on 11, 000 square meters is
\nalso ongoing.\u00a0 The mall is elaborately designed to house two major
\neconomic players in various fast moving consumables goods and other
\nbusiness chains:\u00a0 SPAR and Shoprite in addition to 48 line shops. The
\nmall according to the Managing Director of the Kaduna Market Development
\nand Management Company, Mohammed Bayero, is a Public-Private Partnership
\n(PPP).\u00a0 By implication Kaduna has opened its doors to both public and
\nprivate organisations to invest significantly into property and
\ninfrastructure. The move offers real opportunity for investors to
\ncapitalise on the opportunity to develop and expand their businesses in
\nKaduna State.
\nAs cities expand and population grows, the essence of redesigning and
\nredevelopment of cities has become more imperative than ever. As a
\nresult, this growing trend presents myriads of benefits for the people
\nand once in a life time opportunity for investors to capitalise on.
\nAccording to research, “over half of the global population live in urban
\nareas. And by 2045, the world\u2019s population living in cities will
\nincrease by 1.5 times, to 6 billion. This means that roughly two-thirds
\nof all people on the planet will be living in cities.”
\nHowever, while urban growth is an important driver for the stability and
\nof development of any economy, managing it is a very different story.
\nLeaders have to move in quickly to address the challenges thrown up by
\nproviding basic services, infrastructure, and even affordable housing
\nfor the expanding populations. Why is it important to embark on Kaduna
\nUrban Renewal one may ask? According to Mohammed Magaji, the Managing
\nDirector of Kaduna State Road Agency (KADRA) \u201cthe essence of this
\nurban renewal project is to open up areas to connect communities and
\nlink major roads. Once you have all these incorporated security
\nchallenges will be tackled, investors will come in to invest, our local
\nbusiness people \u2013 even during construction of the roads \u2013 there are
\neconomic activities already, these massive projects will create job
\nopportunities for our youths. Travel time will be reduced because the
\nroads will minimise traffic gridlock. So, the social economic activities
\nof the state will improve and Kaduna state will be great again. Because
\nof the development that is usually associated with road construction, we
\nexpect that Kaduna State soon experience higher GDP.”
\nAmong other gains of Kaduna Urban Renewal Programme include the
\nfollowing. First, creation of job opportunities and empowerment of
\nlocals. From available statistics presented by KADRA, over 1700 local
\ndirect workers have been engaged in the programme. Second, it makes the
\nstate liveable. Urban renewal recreates neighbourhoods and communities
\nleft behind due to demographic and economic change, by bringing back
\ncharacter and a sense of place. Third, areas hitherto forgotten can be
\nreinvigorated through the opportunities created by the project as
\nbuilding and infrastructural developments which allow cities to further
\ntheir growth begin to spring up.
\nFourth, investment in transport system by both government and
\nindividuals geared towards improving mobility of residents and in turn
\nreduce time wastage, improvement air quality and reducing the rate of
\nsedentary lifestyle are encouraged.
\nFifth, under-utilised areas further attracts development and expansion
\nwhich further address the challenge of cost of housing. Corner shops are
\nalso erected for businesses which increases the state’s internally
\ngenerated revenue.
\nSixth, urban renewal programmes also galvernises growth in geographical
\ngreen infrastructure and green spaces. By so doing, art and creative
\nindustries grow with skilled workers in the industry taking advantage of
\nthe environment for their projects and grow their businesses.
\nSeventh, urban renewal comes with historical, and ecological factors
\nsuch as water systems, edifices and fountains that are part of the urban
\nenvironment. All of these factors can help to improve the liveability of
\na city, the vibrancy of communities and economic growth.
\nNigeria lacks maintenance culture. Therefore one vital component of the
\nurban renewal programme which should be taken seriously is the
\nmaintenance. The roads will be useful even in centuries to come and
\nserve the state better if it is properly managed and maintained.
\nTherefore, KADRA should engage or designate staff or people who should
\nbe charged with keeping the roads clean. With the rehabilitation,
\nexpansion and building of these roads in the state, the administration
\nof Nasir el-Rufai has done what can unarguably be described as one of
\nthe most ambitious urban renewal programmes northern Nigeria and the
\ncountry has had in recent times. Kaduna is on the desired pedestal of
\nchange. It is now a pleasurable experience to drive within the Kaduna
\nmetropolis.<\/p>\n
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communication Specialist is the Those who are familiar with Kaduna will concede to the indisputable fact that the\u00a0 capital of former Northern Region has never had it so good in terms of infrastructural revolution…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":55447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n
\npublisher:thenewinsightng.blog
\n@yahoo.com<\/a>\u00a0[2] and could be reached on 08060901201<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"