By Ahmed Ahmed
Some residents of Aria and Zadawa communities in Zaki and Misau Local Government Areas of Bauchi state have lauded the federal government for embarking on culverts, road construction and rehabilitation.
They made the commendation on Saturday during a field projects inspection by officials of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Bauchi state.
Our correspondence reports that the two local governments were among the LGAs affected by the flood in the state and the federal government through FERMA had swung into action to address the damages caused by the flood in the areas.
Speaking with newsmen in Arthe a community, Malam Sama’ila Bako, the Community Head, said the road which linked many LGAs and other neighbouring states was cut off by flood last year, subjecting farmers and traders to difficulties.
“During the flooding, we lost food and property that cannot be quantified but we are grateful now that FERMA is constructing a culvert that will stand the test of time and pave ways for water to move freely,” he said.
Another resident, Shehu explained that everything came to a standstill when the road was washed off.
“Many people plying the road come from different axiaxeske Mai-Qatari, Niger and Yobe states to the market but unfortunately when the rain came, the road collapsed.
“We are very grateful to the government for coming to our rescue, we are so overwhelmed and pray God bless and reward the government for coming to our aid,” he said.
In his contribution, Alhaji Mohammed Sakuwa, who revealed that things became bad for businesses, farming and travelling to go on as usual, appreciated FERMA for embarking on the project.
Also speaking in the Zadawa community of Misau LGA, Mr Tukur Abubakar recounted how the students, farmers, traders and herders used to be stranded for days anytime there was a downpour due to the deplorable condition of the road.
He thanked the federal government for finding it worthy to reconstruct the eight-kilometre road, saying it would boost both the economic and academic endeavours of the people of the area.
In his reaction, Engr. Nanpan Joroh, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, FERMA, Bauchi state, explained that the federal government had disapproved of the five locations affected by clothed in Gamawa LGA to be fixed.
“We are going to construct three cell box culverts and two cell box culverts at this location while waiting for approval for the remaining three locations so that the roads will be motorable for the road users.
“These two-cell and three three-cell box culverts we are constructing here will take care of the flow of water in this area and prevent the people as well as the road from flooding,” he said.
Speaking on the 8 kilometres of road rehabilitation in Zadawa community, Joroh explained that the road which linked many communities in the area was at 50 per cent completion.
He assured that the project which commenced in 2022 would be completed within the next one month.