KABALA WEST RESIDENTS ORGANIZE PROTEST OVER ABANDONED ROAD PROJECT, DEMAND GOVERNMENT ACTION. (PHOTO).

 Kabala West Residents Organize Protest Over Abandoned Road Project, Demand Government Action

Residents of Kabala West and Nariya communities in Kaduna State have intensified calls on the government to urgently address what they described as years of infrastructural neglect, abandonment of public projects, and lack of basic social amenities in the area.

At the center of the growing concerns is the abandoned Kabala West–Nariya road project, which residents say has deteriorated into a major source of hardship for commuters, business owners, and families living within the affected communities.

The road, reportedly initiated during the immediate past administration in Kaduna State, was expected to improve transportation, boost commercial activities, and enhance social development across the axis. However, residents say the project has remained abandoned, leaving behind a severely damaged route riddled with potholes, erosion channels, and muddy sections that become nearly impassable during the rainy season.

Community members lamented that despite paying taxes and contributing to the economic growth of the state, they continue to suffer from poor infrastructure and inadequate public services.

According to residents, commercial drivers and private vehicle owners now face frequent vehicle breakdowns and costly repairs due to the deplorable condition of the road, while commuters endure long delays and rising transportation fares daily.

The environmental impact of the abandoned road has also become a growing health concern. Residents living along the route say dust generated by passing vehicles has worsened respiratory problems among children, elderly persons, and individuals suffering from asthma and related illnesses.

The communities also expressed concern over the absence of accessible and adequately equipped healthcare facilities, noting that residents are often forced to travel long distances under difficult conditions to access medical care, especially during emergencies.

Beyond the road challenges, residents decried what they described as excessive electricity tariffs despite persistent poor power supply in the area. Many households and small business owners alleged that they continue to receive high electricity bills without enjoying stable electricity services.

Traders, artisans, transport operators, and other small-scale entrepreneurs said the poor road network has negatively affected business activities, increased transportation costs, and discouraged investments within the communities.

Residents further criticized the recurring abandonment of public projects after the allocation of public funds, arguing that such actions undermine public trust and democratic accountability.

Community leaders have therefore urged the Kaduna State Government to demonstrate greater commitment, transparency, and responsibility in executing projects that directly affect the welfare of citizens.

Many residents said they had hoped for renewed attention to neglected communities following the emergence of Uba Sani as governor, describing him as a leader believed to be attentive to the concerns of ordinary people.

The residents are now calling on the state government to urgently complete the Kabala West–Nariya road project, establish functional healthcare facilities, address electricity challenges, and improve overall development across the affected communities.

According to them, such interventions would help reduce hardship, revive economic activities, and restore confidence in governance while ensuring that all citizens enjoy equal access to infrastructure and the dividends of democracy.