The outcome of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) which approved N621.2 billion for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to take over the reconstruction of 21 federal roads across the six geopolitical zones of the country has left me disoriented
No doubt, the approval must have come as a big relief for most people positively affected across the political zones, but certainly not for the people of Sardauna local government “Mambilla Plateau” in Taraba State who are almost cut off from the country as the only road leading to the area is now a death trap.
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My disappointment with this particular case is the fact that the Bali-Serti Road that was approved as part of the projects for the NNPC among the 21 roads is a brand new road that was constructed by the Taraba State Government some few years ago and refunded by the Federal Government.
At first, when I got the information on the outcome of the FEC I thought it was a case of mistaken presentation by the press.
However, after a general assessment of the situation I come to accept it as a case of lack of diligence by the ministry of works and housing. Yes. How can you work out from the base up the highest approving authority to re-award the same road you paid for just in 2018 or thereabout?
Are you reconstructing the Bali highway with its current status as the newest road in Taraba State leaving the Gembu end of it as a dead trap? How, Why?
Those who are conversant with the Bali-Serti Road will agree with me that there is absolutely nothing to fix in that road except for the completion of two Bridges.
What is the way out? It is to as a matter of necessity for the leadership especially our elected representatives to lead a high-powered delegation devoid of any political leanings to the Hon Minister of Works and demand for the reallocation of the financial approval of the Bali-Serti Road to Seri-Gembu Road.
Let me also thank the #FixGembuRoad campaigners for consistently putting the road in focus and while reminding us that the time to take this campaign to the next level is now.
The approval, according to Fashola, was in line with Executive Order No. 007 of 2019 cited as the companies income tax (Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme) Order, 2019 (“EO7 of 2019” or “the Scheme”), signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The selected 21 roads are 1804.6 kilometers, and it was a strategic intervention under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure and Refreshment Tax Credit Scheme.
The approval gives nine of the selected projects to North-Central, three to North-East, two to the North-West, two South-East, three South-South, and two in the South-West.
The North East has Rehabilitation of Cham-Numan section of Gombe-Yola road in Adamawa state. 46.35km; Construction of Bali-Serti road in Taraba State. 110km; Rehabilitation of Gombe-Biu road in Gombe/Borno state. 117km.
The time for action is now and let’s see our Senator and House of Representatives Member leading.
- Also writes from Abuja
