By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Few months ago, Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State announced the preparedness of his administration to embark on massive infrastructural development across the State in last October. Many dismissed the announcement with a wave of hands, believing that it is the Governor’s usual antics of promise and fail.
Interestingly, the Governor has proved the douthing Thomases wrong. He has commenced massive road construction and other infrastructural development across Taraba State in fulfilment of his campaign promises and recent engagement with stakeholders across the Three Senatorial districts in the State.
The Governor was widely criticised for not constructing roads in his first Two years in office.
However, the governor has awarded several road projects that are strategic to movement across the state especially for the predominant farmers.
Among the major projects funded are the Mararaba–Baissa–Abong Road Project, awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited (Lot 1) – 28km, with ₦5bn released to the contractors and CCECC Nigeria Limited (Lot 2) – 28km, and ₦5bn also released and China Zhanghao (Lot 3) – 28km, ₦5bn released.
The Mararaban/Baisa/Abong road is one of the most strategic roads in the State. The road provide an easy route to the Nigerian border with Cameroon and leads to Kurmi, one of the most naturally endowed Local Government areas in the State.
However, the road has been in a pathetic state of negligence for several decades making it extremely difficult for people to access the area.
Wukari-Chinkai Road
Kurmi boast of some of the best and cheapest palm oil in the country, vast cocoa orchards, abundant plantain and bananas, timber and well as numerous other resources. The exceptionally fertile soil makes farming a lucrative venture, hindered only by lack of access road. And so the construction of the road will open nearly limitless opportunities for investors and will give a spike in IGR for the State government.
Another key project awarded is the 35km Pamanga–Dakka Road, awarded to Gelead Construction Company Limited with ₦5bn released to the contractor. Dakka is the home to the famous late MKO Abiola farms that have been largely abandoned over the years.
Dakka is also one of the major agrarian areas in the State where nearly all crops thrive due to very fertile and vast land. Conveying harvests out of Dakka has been a major problem due to the terrible state of the road.
The Governor has also awarded the 20km Mararaba–Yorro–Pantisawa Road project to Wasany Construction Company and has released ₦5bn for the project.
The road, off Jalingo-Zing road, is the only major road linking the rather remote Yorro Local Government area to the rest of the State. However, the road has suffered serious neglect over the decades and it’s completion will have tremendous impact on the lives of the people and will largely aid movement of farm produce to markets beyond the local communities there and prevent massive wastages.
Other road projects awarded are the Yerima–Gassol 24 km Road awarded to Whize China Engineering Construction with ₦5bn released to the contractors, and the 35 km Wukari–Kente–Chinkai Road awarded to Moulds Nigeria Limited with ₦5bn released for commencement of work. The road provides an alternative and shorter route to people traveling to neighboring states like Nassarawa, Plateau and others. Others include the 12km Takum–Ussa Road awarded to Whize Chana Engineering Construction, with about ₦1bn released.
In addition to these major road projects, the governor approved over ₦1.9 billion for the palliative repair of potholes along Wukari–Tella–Mutum Biyu and Bali–Mararaba/Baissa roads, alongside township road works in Jalingo and Wukari.
Governor Kefas infrastructural revolutionary movement has indeed attracted widespread commendations from stakeholders across the state.
Mr. Solomon Muya, a resident of Wukari local government said the contract for the construction of Wukari- Kente- Chinkai Road was one of the greatest achievements of Governor Kefas.
“As you can see, this Road is the only alternative shortest route from Taraba to Abuja. The road if constructed will be beneficial to all those travelling to Abuja and other parts of the country “. He said.
Hon. Garba Ajiya, former member of the Taraba House of Assembly from Takum described the award of the road contract from Takum to Lissam headquarters of Ussa local government as a welcome development.
“We commend Governor Kefas for this intervention. Over the years, the people of that area were cut off from other parts of the state because of the deplorable condition of the road which is just less than six kilometres. “
Just like Ajiya, Alhaji Adamu Isah, a prominent politician from Kurmi, applauded Governor Kefas for embarking on the construction of Mararaba Baissa/Abong Road. “The Governor will have his name written in Gold if he completes this road project ” he noted.
On the construction of Mararaba Yorro Pantisawa Road, Elder Samuel Mashi, an elder stateman from Pantisawa, headquarters of Yorro local government thanked Governor Kefas for embarking on the road project which was abandoned by former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku.
“Our people have suffered serious neglect by the past administration. So we are pleased and grateful to Governor Kefas. The people of Yorro Local Government are saying thank you to Governor Kefas. We are ready to give the Governor 100 per cent of our votes come 2027.
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