Commercial drivers plying Gamawa-Zaki road in Bauchi State have lamented the deplorable condition of the road, calling for urgent intervention.
The road, WikkiTimes learned, links with the neighbouring states of Jigawa and Yobe. The drivers warned that failure to attend to the road could lead to the loss of lives and property.
The drivers, while conducting a self-help project to sand-fill potholes along the road said they were worried that the road may not be motorable in the nearest days.
They told WikkiTimes the potholes they were filling were dug by flood last year.
The drivers under the umbrella of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), appealed to the government to come to their aid by reconstructing the damaged portions of the road.
The leader of the project, Malam Sayibu Uba, Chairman of NURTW Gamawa Branch said they initiated the project to prevent accidents.
He explained that accidents are common on the road, especially during market days and festive periods.
“We organized this self-help project in order to repair the damaged portions on the road from Gamawa to Kore.
“It is an initiative of NURTW Gamawa Branch, but we have invited our neighbours from Zaki to repair the road seeing that we are approaching the festive season.
“The road has dangerous potholes which are causing accidents along it. So we managed to fill the potholes with sand so that motorists can have free access during this time and beyond,” he said.
He added: “We are grateful to our members for their cooperation towards the successful completion of this self-help project, as you can see now vehicles can freely pass the road without any fear even if it is at night.”
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On his part, Isa Bulama, secretary for RTEAN in Zaki LGA Branch, expressed fear that the road may not be motorable in the few coming days or months due to the overflowing of water along its banks.
According to him, there is a high tendency that the road may be affected by flood this year, considering the fact that the damaged portions of the road had not been repaired.
“We are appealing to the state government to come to our aid, we were in a difficult situation now, if this river has been filled with water, then we have no access road,” he said.
“Last year’s flood damaged some portions of the road which led to the death of many people as the canoe they were using to cross the road capsized with some traders.
“Even the state government had visited us and sympathised with us. We are appealing to the governor to come to our aid,” said Bulama.
Efforts to reach Gamawa LGA Caretaker Chairman, Nasiru Bakura, proved abortive. He did not respond to calls. Also, a text sent to him had not been responded to as of press time.
