By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Residents of Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State are groaning under worsening hardship following the dilapidated state of the Sabo-Garage road, popularly called “Sabon by Garage” among Bus Town Service (BTS) workers.
The road, abandoned by contractors about three years ago after it was awarded for reconstruction under the immediate past administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has crippled economic activities in the area. Once a major hub of commerce, the communities along the route now face collapsing businesses, poverty, and hunger.
The abandoned road, which links Sabon Tasha to Kaduna main town and serves as a strategic passage for Ungwan Sunday and Ungwan Yelwa—two densely populated communities—remains only about 10 percent completed, according to expert ratings before the 2023 change of government. Residents now contend with flooding, erosion, and collapsing streets.
The ripple effect has further damaged adjoining roads leading into Ungwan Sunday and Yelwa, leaving them in a poor state of disrepair. Transportation businesses are the worst hit, as BTS and other commercial vehicles have completely stopped using the route once considered cheaper and more direct for commuters connecting Sabon Tasha and Television Garage to Kaduna metropolis.
After three rainy seasons without construction work, the level of destruction has become severe, rendering the half-kilometer stretch between Barnawa junction and the bridge almost impassable. Only nearby residents attempt to cross it on foot when absolutely necessary.
A cement dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed sighting Governor Uba Sani inspecting the road, with reports indicating plans for rehabilitation. He, however, appealed to the governor’s “people-friendly” administration to urgently intervene and rescue the communities from worsening hardship caused by years of abandonment.
Some residents, aggrieved by the delay, also linked the neglect to the road’s notoriety for nightlife activities at the popular “Halima Junction,” known for beer parlors, roasted fish and chicken spots, and other social gatherings.
