Yobe roads: Skepticism versus celebrations

As countries and states strive for relevance in today’s competitive world, the need to have deliberate and realistic policies on infrastructural driven development to fast track the economy is inevitable. Good road network and efficient transport system are undoubtedly stabilising ropes in boosting productivity and poverty reduction in developing economies such as ours.For decades, this fundamental […]

As countries and states strive for relevance in today’s competitive world, the need to have deliberate and realistic policies on infrastructural driven development to fast track the economy is inevitable.
 Good road network and efficient transport system are undoubtedly stabilising ropes in boosting productivity and poverty reduction in developing economies such as ours.
For decades, this fundamental tool for development had been lacking in Yobe State. The sand dunes on the long stretch of the desert in the northern part of the state and, the step rocky gorges in the south discouraged previous administrations from venturing into road construction considering the huge financial implications, therefore, good roads in the state remain a mirage.
Yobe’s rich agricultural potentials in the Gashua, Jakusko and Nguru wetlands, the vast oasis in Yunusari, Yusufari, Bursari, Tarmuwa and Geidam as well as, the Gum Arabic plantations across the state, were left unexploited while the abundant potash mineral deposits used in manufacturing of glass were lying waste due to lack of good roads and  functional transport system.
Similarly, movement of people, goods and services to and from most of the rural areas had always been tasking, and that explains why prices of basic essential commodities were exorbitant and out of reach of the inhabitants.
In 2012, the Gaidam administration declared revolution in road construction and allocated a lion share of N16.3 billion to the Ministry of Works out of the N78.5 billion budget and, N17.3 billion out of the N86.6 billion in the 2013 budget. Many people, including my friend, Malam Aliyu Bashir, dismissed the declaration as just one of those empty promises.
As we watch the governor unveiling 54 mass transit buses on the local news on September 19, 2013, Malam Aliyu Bashir, a born critic, questioned the success of the mass transit programme, arguing that the roads are not motorable. He personally declared to embark on an independent excursion of the state to see the condition of roads in the rural areas after two years of Gaidam’s declaration on the sector. “I want to see what has come out of that declaration.”
Bashir’s adventure to the rural areas ended after one week, and for the first time I saw Bashir openly acknowledging a politician/public officer fulfilling his promise “with no pressure from the electorate or civil societies.”
From 2011 to date, the road sector in Yobe State has received government’s attention with the largest investment since the creation of the state 22 years ago. The construction of 300 kilometers Trans-Sahara route, from Kanama to Machina, cutting across four local government areas of Yunusari, Machina, Karasuwa and Nguru in the northern fringes of the state has propelled trade and commerce among 200 communities benefitting from the road. It has also facilitated trade along the international borders with Niger Republic.
Health care delivery has also been promoted and made accessible as people from villages and hamlets, especially pregnant women travel with ease to access medical attention in nearby health institutions and clinics.
The construction of Bayamari to Yusufari road provided many farmers with the opportunity to expand their farmlands, as the burden of transporting farm inputs and moving out harvests which were hitherto done through animal driven carts were replaced with vehicles, thereby speeding up the work. Similarly, the elite and unemployed youth rushed back home engaging in irrigation farming of rice, wheat and vegetables.
The step and rocky terrain of Godowoli and Gadaka area had scared previous governments from attempting to venture into construction of the road. This generation of Godowoli community had ruled out having the road constructed in their lifetime. In July this year, the state government awarded contract for the construction of the 36-kilometer road with a 45 meter long bridge at Ngeji at the cost N3.7 billion.
The garb of skepticism, which earlier clothed the inhabitants, gave way to celebrations when the contractors, ‘Ric Rock’ Construction Company mobilised to site.
The Damaturu to Biu federal highway, which was constructed over 40 years ago, was in a complete state of disrepair. It is a leading commercial route linking Yobe State to Borno in the south, Adamawa and Taraba states; but was reduced to a deathtrap. Traders from these states ply the route with a lot of risks.
The Yobe State government has taken over the road and awarded a N5 billion contract for complete reconstruction of the 77km Damaturu to Magza village on the Yobe/ Borno borders to give relief to motorists and commuters, as well as boost trade among communities. Work has commenced with a 7km dual carriage way from the Gujba road roundabout to the state university gate, and will proceed with a single carriage way from the university to Magza village on the borders with Borno State.
Similarly, government took over construction of the 31km Gashua to Yusufari road, which contract was awarded by the federal government 10 years back but abandoned. Work has reached advanced stage with 19km completed. Meanwhile, the state government has completed rehabilitation of the Kaliyari to Baimari and Baimari to Giedam federal highway.
Damaturu metropolis was able to assume the status of a state capital 20 years after the creation of the state when this administration provided road networks with drainage, and additional 18 kilometer ring road which assisted in decongesting traffic flow within the state capital.
The extension of 10-kilometer township roads in Gashua, Nguru and Geidam has also uplifted the status of these growing cities. In Yobe, we have truly witnessed good governance, service delivery and democratic dividends by the Gaidam administration. Politicians with sincere ambition to improve the lives of the citizenry should be appreciated and encouraged so that our country will be a better place.
Al-Amin can be reached at [email protected]