Stakeholders in the transport sector in Gombe and Bauchi States have commended the Federal Government for the ongoing road rehabilitation projects linking the states to other parts of Nigeria.
They said the projects would open up the North-East region, ease movement of goods and services, enhance security, and boost social and economic development of the people.
A cross section of the stakeholders said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Gombe and Bauchi.
Mr Salisu Umar, Organizing Secretary, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Gombe State, lauded the government’s efforts towards improving road infrastructure in the region.
He described the reconstruction of critical sections of the Gombe – Bauchi and Gombe –Yola highways as a welcome development in view of the heavy vehicular movements on the roads.
Umar said that significant progress had been made on the projects, resulting in improved road conditions and reduction in crashes.
He said that over 120 kilometres out of the 156km stretch between Gombe and Bauchi were in good condition.
“The improvement of the road has made travelling safe and more comfortable. It also reduced the rate of accidents considerably as a result of the reconstruction work,” he said.
Umar expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded on the Gombe – Yola Road, noting that less than 30 kilometres out of the 240km on the route are yet to be completed.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for embarking on the reconstruction of 125km Gombe – Biu Road, which had suffered years of neglect in spite of its importance to the socio-economic development of the region.
“The Gombe – Biu road is one of the most challenging routes for motorists in recent years, commuters spend up to three hours on a journey that should ordinarily take them about one hour,” he said.
Umar was optimistic that the situation would soon improved sequel to the recent inauguration of the N1.25trn road reconstruction project by the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi.
Mr Samson Kaura, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe State, also lauded the federal government’s road intervention in the region.
He, however, stressed the need for further improvements along the Gombe – Yola road, noting that some essential road safety facilities were lacking in areas prone to road traffic crashes.
According to Kaura, road furniture is absent on some sections of the road, contributing to safety challenges.
“There are no road signs to indicate danger zones. There is a need for the contractors to install appropriate signage and other road safety infrastructure to protect lives and property,” he said.
Mrs Aisha Mohammed, a commuter, said the road projects would boost trade and create opportunities for businesses in communities along major routes in the region.
“The Gombe – Biu Road is very important to farmers and traders. When completed, it will help us transport our goods more easily and increase economic activities in the area,” she said.
A businessman, Ibrahim Yusuf, also commended the government for prioritising road infrastructure development in the North-East.
“This project demonstrates commitment to the development of our region. We appreciate the efforts being made to improve the roads and support economic growth,” he said.
Similarly, Yahuza Ahmed, a commercial bus operator in Bauchi, lauded the rehabilitation of the Bauchi – Gombe road, and other intra state roads by the Bauchi government.
He, however, called for the rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Bauchi – Kano road and Bauchi – Jos road, to ease transportation and reduce road carnages.
Moreso, Abdulsalam Aminu, a transporter, hailed Tinubu’s commitment to road infrastructure development in Nigeria.
He said the president deserved commendation for fulfilling his promise to rehabilitate the strategic road corridors across the country.
Aminu said the gesture would transform the transportation sector, promote regional integration and fast-track sustainable social and economic development in the country. (NAN)
