A Kebbi traditional ruler has called on the Federal Government to urgently reconstruct the road linking Nigeria and Benin Republic, saying its deplorable condition has subjected commuters to hardship, frequent vehicle breakdowns and road accidents.
Kebbi State is in North-West, Nigeria.
The District Head of Illo, in Kebbi State, Muhammad Wankwai, has appealed to the Federal Government to reconstruct the Bagudo-Ka’oje-Tsamiya-Illo-Lolo Federal Road to curb frequent accidents and ease transportation challenges in the area.
Wankwai made the appeal on Monday when Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State visited the area to sympathise with residents over successive attacks by bandits on communities, including security personnel.
Wankwai said the deplorable condition of the road had subjected commuters to hardship, with vehicles frequently breaking down and some involved in accidents.
“Your Excellency, we have a transportation challenge arising from the bad condition of the Bagudo-Ka’oje-Tsamiya-Illo-Lolo Federal Road.
“Many vehicles break down in transit, while some are involved in accidents because of the deplorable nature of the road.
“We passionately request the urgent intervention of the Federal Government to reconstruct the road, which links Nigeria with the neighbouring Republic of Benin, in view of its immense economic benefits to the nation,” he said.
Wankwai, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers and residents of the area, thanked the governor for the sympathy visit and pledged continued support for his administration.
“We are happy about your good leadership, which has improved the condition of living of the people. Our entire population will continue to support you and remain loyal to your administration,” he said.
Responding, Governor Idris described the bandit attacks in the area as “unpalatable and condemnable”, assuring the people that his administration had adopted strategies to restore peace and security to the affected communities and the state at large.
“We curse whoever is involved in these dastardly acts. As a responsible government, we have adopted strategies to restore peace and security to the area and the entire Kebbi State,” Idris said.
The governor said the security situation in the Bagudo Local Government Area was strange, noting that the area had previously been synonymous with peace.
“What is happening is strange to us. Bagudo has been among areas synonymous with peace until now, when bad elements infiltrated the locality.
“I am happy about your love and support. I found it worthwhile to come here to express my sympathy and empathy to residents of Bagudo over the security challenges they are facing,” he said.
In his address, the member representing the Suru/Bagudo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Bello Ka’oje, thanked the governor for visiting the affected communities and described him as a compassionate leader.
On the road, Kaoje said the Federal Government had awarded an N25 billion contract for its reconstruction, extending to the border with the Republic of Benin.
He said work had commenced on the Ka’oje section of the road but stalled due to paucity of funds, adding that efforts were ongoing to resume construction.
Kaoje attributed some of the project’s economic challenges to global developments, including the Iran-Israel conflict and its impact on the world economy, but expressed optimism that the situation was improving.
