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From Shafaatu Suleiam, Sokoto
Roads have remained a major means of transportation in the country. Though there are others modes, the roads are largely used duento obvious reasons.
However, plying the Nigerian roads can be a nightmare for road users due to the bad state of most of them occasioned by poor maintenance.
Reports say that Nigeria ranks first in Africa with the worst, unmotorable road networks, capping it with the highest number of accidents and deaths which rub off negatively on socio-economic development.
Annually, Nigeria loses an estimated 1.6 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to poor road infrastructure.
This is equivalent to N80 billion in annual loss, plus an additional N53.8 billion in vehicle operating costs.
Therefore, road facility plays a vital role in promoting rapid economic growth, promoting social interaction, and enhancing the overall quality of life, an economic analyst, Abdullahi Usman, said.
Other stakeholders pointed out that a well-maintained road network is essential for the transportation of goods and services, thereby stimulating trade and commerce, creating jobs, and increasing access to markets.
Thus, good roads enable the efficient movement of people, goods, and services, as well as reducing travel time and improving safety, which in turn, boosts investor confidence, attracts businesses, and drives economic development.
Musa Adamu, a driver plying Sokoto- Illela – Niger road, relayed his ugly experience using Sokoto- Illela- Niger Republic route in his 30 years driving with Sunday Sun: “We enjoy this road because of the high quality construction works, but in recent times due to lack of maintenance, the road became dilapidated, causing a terrible experience for drivers like us and our passengers, but thank God for FERMA intervention”.
Salihu Mai Rago, a community leader in Mamman Suka asserted that due to the bad road in their community, their farm produce was no longer of commercial value.
“We produce agricultural produce like onion, garlic and cabbage. And people from Niger up to Mali patronise us because of this federal high road linking the countries,” he said.
They commended the efforts of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), saying that the agency has been working tirelessly to ensure that roads in the Northwest zone are safe and motorable, thereby boosting socio-economic activities,
To fulfil Adamu’s aspiration of having good roads passing through his community, in 2023, the Federal Government through the Federal Road Maintenance Agency embarked on its general maintenance of federal roads.
The Sokoto-Illela- Niger Republic, Sokoto Talata Mafara Gusau highway and Sokoto Argungu road, were some of the projects executed by the agency.
These projects covering about 200 kilometres were recently commissioned by the Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goranyo, thereby bringing to end the long suffering of residents and road users across communities in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
In Sokoto, the agency repaired a 58-kilometre road at Mamman Suka town on the Sokoto-Illela federal road.
This project, according to the minister, during the commisioning ceremony, was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to improve the country’s infrastructure and promote economic growth among rural dwellers.
The minister also emphasized that the road will enhance trade, commerce, and social interactions among the benefiting communities.
“It will also increase the volume of the nation’s trans-border trade as it links the Northwest region with neighbouring Niger Republic and other Francophone countries,” he said.
On the Sokoto-Funtua-Zaria Federal road stretching about 137 kilometers that linked Kano-Kaduna-Abuja highway, the minister while commisioning the general maintenance project carried out by FERMA warned articulated vehicle drivers plying all federal roads to refrain from the act of vandalisation.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the issue of road damage caused by heavy trucks.
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Goronyo highlighted that the government invests significant resources in road rehabilitation and maintenance, only for the roads to be damaged by negligent road users.
“We will not allow unscrupulous vehicle owners to deliberately destroy our roads,” he stated, warning offenders to desist or face legal consequences.
On his stop over at the ongoing dualizasation construction of Sokoto-Gusau-Zaria highway, the minister said that once completed, it would transform the transportation and economic landscape of the Northwest, enhancing connectivity, trade, and development.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on the ongoing construction while commissioning the repair project during his two days visit to the states.
The project, which is being executed by the Federal Ministry of Works, aims to upgrade the road’s infrastructure using rigid pavement technology, which is expected to last over 50 years.
Also, Goronyo commended the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for introducing this innovative technology to Nigeria’s construction industry
He noted that the project will boost agricultural and economic activities in the region, particularly in the Northwest zone.
He emphasised that his ministry will collaborate with other agencies, such as the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), to impound any vehicle that damages the road and ensure that the owners repair the damage.
In Kebbi state, the minister commissioned the Sokoto-Kebbi border road at Alwasa village in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
During the minister’s two-day visit, stakeholders including the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris commended the agency as the most effective Federal Government organ, citing its outstanding performance under the support of President Tinubu.
The governor while receiving the minister and FERMA officials in his office rated the agency as actively delivering on its mandate.
Governor Idris said: “No Federal Government agency matches FERMA’s impact. I applaud President Tinubu for providing the necessary support to ensure its optimal performance.”
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting Federal Government initiatives and collaborating on projects that benefit Kebbi State residents.
“Some believe Federal projects are solely the responsibility of the Federal Government, but I do not agree with that notion.
“My administration will always step in to support projects that have a positive impact on our people,” he said.
Governor Idris also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Umahi, for their efforts in advancing infrastructure development in Kebbi State.
In an effort to sustain this giant strides made, FERMA has launched an operation to safeguard the highways.
Kabiru Haliru, a business owner in Sokoto State, appreciated the efforts made by FERMA, saying that it has relieved his fear of getting his goods stuck when the road repair is over.
“Whenever my goods are being conveyed from Kano I have a feverish feeling knowing too well that Funtua-Mafara highway is in bad shape, but with the repair made by FERMA now I feel more relaxed,” he said.
For Abdu Halilu, a road user, he sees the road repair as a life saver, pointing out that the Gusau- Funtua road is notorious for accidents as a result of its poor condition, but added that with the new development he is hoping that the rate will reduce.
A public analyst, Aliyu Hamza, said that with the launch of operation safeguard the roads, highway misuse and destruction would be combated.
“I think the Federal Government under the leadership of Tinubu is committed to make the road worthy for users, especially in trans border trading with our neighbouring countries like Niger Republic,” he said.
