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• Keffi-Nasarawa Road taken over by bandits – Council boss
• We are committed to executing project – Controller of Works
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Keffi-Nasarawa Road, which links communities, and facilitates trade beyond Nasarawa State, has become a haunting ground for terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, making it a zone of fear and uncertainty.
“It’s like navigating through a war zone,” laments Ahmed Yusuf, a local motorist who frequently travels along the now deadly route. For Yusuf, every journey now feels like a gamble with lives.
Residents of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State were hopeful when the contract was awarded and work started almost immediately. But after a while, the work stopped and the road became worse than ever. Maryam Abubakar, one of the residents recalls that what looked promising as a road that was going to serve the needs of the people has turned out to be a nightmare.
Among the worst hit are transporters who ply the route, moving people and goods, to earn a living. Mallam Ibrahim, chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state laments the abandonment and level of neglect that have led to all shades of criminals operating on the highway.
With each passing day, tales of abduction and extortion that take place on the road and its connecting routes are told by victims, painting grim pictures of the perils faced by those who dare to travel these roads. “I never imagined I would be a victim,” recounts Fatima Musa, a survivor of a harrowing kidnapping ordeal.
“We cannot continue to live in fear,” declares Hajiya Aisha, a vocal advocate for road safety in the state who believes that the government must act swiftly to restore peace and security to the communities.
Muhammed Sani Otto, Chairman, Nasarawa Local Government Council, commended the past administration’s efforts in awarding the contract for the construction of the road from Keffi to Abagi. He however, lamented the lack of significant improvement on the road construction under the current administration. He highlighted the dire condition of the road and the adjoining communities.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the incidents of vehicles that skid off the road into ditches, leading to tragic consequences. The council boss appealed to the authorities to heed the desperate pleas of the people and address their plight urgently.
Reflecting on the situation faced by those who traverse the route, Otto further raised the alarm on the escalating security threats, recounting how the road has become a haven for hoodlums and criminals to carry out their nefarious activities.
Saturday Sun gathered that the road, once a thriving route for commerce and connectivity, has now transformed into a desolate stretch where many motorists dread to travel on. Kidnappers exploit the precarious state of the road to prey on unsuspecting travelers.
Daniel Aleyemi, an engineer who is overseeing the Keffi-Nasarawa Road project, which was awarded in 2022, provided an insight on the situation. He disclosed that despite economic challenges in the country, and the rising costs of construction materials, there was still a commitment to execute the project.
It was also gathered that there have been further payments for the contract in recent times. Aleyemi explained that there are plans to resume work on-site while acknowledging the administrative constraints in managing costs amidst economic uncertainties.
He also said that the success of the project is hinged on collaborative decision-making among stakeholders. The road, according to Aleyemi, is about 118 kilometes, linking communities in Toto Local Government Area.
According to Engr. Idah Daikwo, Federal Controller of Works, Nasarawa State, efforts have been made to address the delays in the completion of the project. He clarified that the ministry had issued directives to the construction company to resume work on the site, emphasizing that the contract was awarded with a stipulated completion period of 24 months – April 2022 to April, 2024.
Acknowledging the challenges encountered since the contract was awarded, Daikwo cited funding constraints as a significant hurdle that has hindered the progress of the project. “Since the awarding of the contract, we’ve faced a lot of challenges with funding,” he admitted.
One of the critical impediments highlighted by Daikwo is the global increase in the prices of construction materials, which has further compounded the problem of funding. However, despite these obstacles, he assured that the ministry is addressing the issue to mitigate its impact on the project’s timeline.
Dispelling speculations of project abandonment, Daikwo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the road construction. “It’s not as if the project was abandoned as people have been speculating,” he clarified.
Daikwo also emphasized the shared responsibility between the government and the contractors in overcoming the challenges encountered during the project’s execution. He stressed the importance of accountability, asserting that both parties must fulfill their obligations. He expressed confidence in the government’s resolve to address the pressing issues confronting the road.
