From:Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
Residents, commercial transporters, and business owners along the College-Gimbiya-Juji link road in Sabon Tasha are appealing to the Kaduna State government to speed up the completion of the five-kilometer road, saying it will rebuild confidence and boost livelihoods in the communities.
The appeal follows the groundbreaking ceremony conducted by Governor Uba Sani on January 29, 2024, an event that sparked excitement and renewed hope among the communities after nearly a decade of neglect.
For many residents, the project represented the government’s commitment to rural development. It also helped increase electoral support for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Chikun constituency bye-election.
According to Yusuf Ishyaku Goje, an active citizen and civil society member who authored the statement, the initial grading of the road raised expectations.
However, work slowed after the contractor faced equipment issues and later left the site. He noted that the contractor had informed community members of plans to return and had even secured a space in Juji to keep equipment before resuming.
Goje observed during a follow-up visit that sections of the graded road are already deteriorating due to gully erosion, as drainage was not included in the initial work.
He said that without drainage, rainfall is making conditions worse for commuters and business owners, creating dust, health hazards, and safety risks.
Community members have engaged their State House of Assembly representative and visited the Planning and Budget Commission and RAAMP office to seek updates.
They were told that the project falls under the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, and a letter has been sent to the Honorable Commissioner, with follow-up ongoing.
Goje acknowledged that the state faces financial constraints but emphasized that completing ongoing road projects before awarding new projects would save costs and yield a greater impact.
He noted that, with inflation and the rains, delaying completion could increase the cost of re-grading sections that have already been washed away.
The appeal urges Governor Uba Sani to act in line with his commitment to rural development and see that the College-Gimbiya-Juji link road is finished before the rainy season peaks. Goje said this would save the state money, improve living standards, boost residents’ trust in government, and strengthen political support for the administration and its party.
