N/East Neglected In FG’s Roads, Other Infrastructure Projects – Senator Goje
By Juliet Vincent
The Senator representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje has urged on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that, the North East received its fair share in his Renewed Hope Super Highway Project linking many parts of the country’s geopolitical zones.
He made the call in a motion moved at the Plenary on Thursday saying that, the North East region has been Sidelined in the allocation of road projects across the nation’s geopolitical zones.
According to him, the North East has only two roads projects in the ₦4.2 trillion road infrastructure plan of the federal government.
Senator Goje noted that, while he commended President Tinubu’s administration for approving ₦4.2 trillion for road infrastructure projects across Nigeria, the North East had not been treated fairly in the allocation of projects compared to other geopolitical zones.
The former Gombe State governor reminded that, in one of its meetings in February, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), approved funding for the various highway projects to address the poor road network in the country and boost economic activities for the development of the country.
While giving details of the projects, he said that, the only two projects allocated to the North East are; the N11.81 billion Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State and the N7K.68 billion Karim Lamido Road in Taraba State.
The Senator informed that, several crucial road networks in the region are in deplorable conditions which include; Bauchi – Gombe Road, Biu – Gombe Road, Potiskum – Gombe Road, Darazo – Gombe Road, Numan – Jalingo Road, Yola – Mubi Road, Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama Road, Biu – Gombi – Mararaba Road and Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri Road.
Senator Goje further noted that, despite its strategic role in national security and economic growth, the North East is the only region without a direct connection to the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project.
He therefore urged the federal government to correct the anomaly and prioritize road rehabilitation across the country especially in the North East region.
While supporting the motion, the Senator representing Niger East, Senator Sani Musa called for a nationwide emergency on road repairs adding that infrastructural neglect has continued to hinder economic progress in the country.
Speaking after Senator Goje’s submission, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, called for a strategic roadmap on construction and maintenance of roads in the country.
According to him, no matter how many roads are constructed, if there is no maintenance, they will eventually breakdown and add to the existing bad ones across the country.
He said, “I believe strongly that if previous administrations in Nigeria had really done a serious roadmap on road construction and rehabilitation, we wouldn’t have had this problem.
“I think we should have a road map on how to maintain our roads and ensure their reconstruction.We’ll continue to have this kind of issues even if we declare a state of emergency on road rehabilitation and construction but there has to be a plan on maintenance.
“Take for example, the road linking Akwa Ibom State with Cross Rivers State was done in 1975 but with a provision that there should be an overlay in seven years, but 40 years after, that overlay was not done,” he said.
