Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has called for the reconstruction of the Gombe-Bauchi Federal highway in order to permanently address the recurrent Road washouts and collapse of bridges along the failed road.
The Governor also lamented the slow pace of ongoing repair work on the road tasking the Contractor to speed up and make the Road motorable within the next few days to reduce the suffering of the road users just as he vowed to escalate the matter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent intervention.
Inuwa Yahaya, who is the Chairman of the Nothern Governors’ Forum, said that “These issues have rendered the road unsafe and impassable for travelers in the North- East.”
The road connects Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, and parts of Borno states as well as Plateau and FCT, making it a critical transportation route for goods and services.
During his inspection visit to the site of the road washout /collapsed bridge at Kalajanga, Kirfi LGA of Bauchi State, the Governor underscored the crucial role of maintaining this infrastructure, emphasizing its significance in the socio-economic activities of the people of the North East sub-region.
The Governor likened the road to an essential artery connecting vital regions, highlighting its vital role in the economic activities of the people.
According to him, “This road is like an artery that connects the heart with the brain supplying blood and oxygen, if it breaks, no part of the body can function. This is what the road is to the sub-region.”
“I believe the governor of Bauchi was here, and don’t be surprised tomorrow to see the governor of Adamawa or Borno here because of the importance of the road to the entire region,” he added.
He stressed the need for comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction, noting that the road, nearly 50 years old, requires bridges and thorough restoration.
The Governor observed that traveling through alternative routes is both expensive and time-consuming, underscoring the urgency of completing the repair works to ensure smooth transportation across the Northeastern states.
Inuwa Yahaya further stressed the importance of the road to the socio-economic development of not only Gombe State but the region as a whole while attributing the poor condition of the road to environmental factors and increased human activities.
He also explained that since his assumption of office, he has been following up to see that the road receives the necessary rehabilitation.
According to him, “I had, in the past, visited the Ministry of Works about four times on this issue, trying to draw the attention of the Federal Government to take immediate measures to solve this lingering problem permanently. Even yesterday, I had to call the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works on the issue.”
“The FG has to come in as a matter of urgency and address this issue because the livelihoods of millions of people depend on this road,” describing the situation as an emergency that begs for immediate measures,” he stressed.
The Governor also pledged to escalate the matter to the President, seeking a permanent solution to the problem.
While acknowledging the ongoing work by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and their efforts to create a temporary walkway, and expressed optimism that continuous efforts could lead to the road becoming operational again in a matter of days.
Responding on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works, a staff in the Ministry overseeing the project, Engr Bitrus Dauda, said that the Ministry is doing everything possible to make the road motorable while assuring to push for the construction of bridges along the road.
“We have since lodged complaints to the Federal Ministry of Works over the condition of the road, especially the sites where large bridges are needed. We are now waiting for the design to take on the construction work,” he explained.
Also, in his remarks, the Sector Commandant, Federal Road Safety Corps, Bauchi State, Mr. Patrick Ikaba, said that the Command has concluded plans to install warning signs at strategic places to prevent accidents, advising motorists and other road users to take alternative routes for safety purposes.
The recent incidence of the road washout occurred on Saturday after hours of heavy downpours that resulted in a flash flood overpowering the capacity of the existing bridge at the site.