Divergent views trail Kano toll-gate

There are divergent reactions in relation to the continued existence of Kano toll-gate which turned out to be a spot for recurring accidents in the recent time, Kano Chronicle can report. The tall-gate, situated at Na’ibawa ‘Yan Lemu adjacent to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano, was constructed by the immediate past Governor of the […]

There are divergent reactions in relation to the continued existence of Kano toll-gate which turned out to be a spot for recurring accidents in the recent time, Kano Chronicle can report.

The tall-gate, situated at Na’ibawa ‘Yan Lemu adjacent to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano, was constructed by the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

Our reporters gathered that the tall-gate was purposely built to enhance security through regular checking on motorists that are coming in or going out of the state as well as generating revenue through collection of fees from them.

However, Kano Chronicle observed that the purpose for the construction of the toll-gate seems to have been defeated as neither security personnel conduct any checking on motorists nor revenue collection officers discharge their duty at the place.

Some Kano residents who spoke to our reporters expressed different views about the toll-gate. While some are calling for its demolition, others are of the opinion that it should be maintained and improved upon to serve the purpose of its construction.

A staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps working close to the tall-gate, who craved for anonymity, confirmed the occurrence of accidents at the tall-gate, saying that most of the motorists involved in the accidents were strangers who were oblivious of the existence of the toll-gate.

He also said that the passages of the toll-gate were too narrow especially the trailer and other long vehicles’ lanes, another factor resulting to frequent accident in the area.

“I think it is not as spacious as how a standard toll-gate should be, the gates are narrow. They should be expanded and there should be security personnel stationed there since it was constructed to further improve security situation in the state” he said.

Malam Naziru Dahiru is a trader who has been conducting business close to the toll-gate for six years now. He said he had witnessed a number of accidents at the place.

“I have been involved in the rescue operations during some of the accidents. I have personally moved bodies of casualties, dead and injured and of both human beings and animals here,” he added.

Dahiru attributed most of the accidents at the tall-gate to impatience of some drivers, noting that, “Sometimes, you will see a driver trying to overtake another at this place on high speed as if the structure is not there, which in some instances causes patal accident. That’s just impatience.”

However, Dahiru believed that the advantages of the tall-gate were far more than its disadvantages. He therefore called on relevant authorities to take adequate measures to forestall the occurrence of the frequent accidents at the gate rather than removing it completely.

Malam Muhammad Sani, a motorist who uses the road frequently, is of the opinion that the toll-gate had no advantage and therefore, it should be removed.

“Again, the tall-gate is also preventing drivers from seeing people trying to cross the road. You may not notice people trying to cross the road until you come close to them and in an attempt to control your vehicle to avoid hitting them, you may end up hitting the toll-gate,” he said.

Another driver, Muhammad Kabir, said most of the accidents were caused by drivers who are strangers, saying “Some of us that are familiar with the place hardly hit the gate or hit people because we are aware that it is there.”

He opined that security personnel should be deployed to the place to mount a stop-and-search check point in order to reduce accidents.

Malam Alhassan Sa’ad, another businessman at the area, said the toll-gate should be removed completely as according to him “It has no use rather than causing accidents. The only way to make it work is to re-construct it in such a way that it will be spacious enough for all the different lanes.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kano Sector Command, Kabir Ibrahim Daura, said the sector was of the opinion that the tall-gate should be maintained.

However, Daura said, “There should be a sign post, at least 200 to 250 meters ahead of the tall-gate to indicate its existence. That will make drivers to slow down, thus preventing accidents.

“Since the tall-gate is constructed for a purpose, there is no reason to call for its demolition. Rather it should be enhanced to serve its purpose and adequate measures be taken to let road users be aware of its existence.”