Report by AMINU DALHATU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
An Islamic scholar in Zamfara State, Sheikh Mohammed Tukur Sani Jangebe, has called on the Federal Government and the Zamfara State Government to urgently carry out minor repairs from Maru –Mayanchi–Maradun junction road, which leads to some part of Talata Mafara Local Government Area.
He said the terrible condition of the road has continued to pose serious challenges to travelers and exposed them to bandits attack along the road.
Sheikh Jangebe made the call while speaking with a Radio Nigeria correspondent in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
He explained that the highway from Maru to Talata Mafara has developed over a hundred potholes, which slow down vehicular movement.
According to him, the road has become a dangerous route due to rampant cases of banditry and kidnappings.
The scholar noted that, although the Federal Government had awarded a contract for the dualization of the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Talata Mafara–Sokoto road but the project has not yet reached the stretch between Maru and Talata Mafara highway.
Sheikh Tukur Jangebe stated that, thousands of traveller had depends on the roads whether for transportation, trade, healthcare, agriculture, or other essential services while the road is the main link from Zamfara to Sokoto up to Kebbi State.
“Unfortunately, the road from Bungudu through Maru, Mayanchi, Maradun junction, up to the some part of Talata Mafara, has completely deteriorated.”
Sheikh Jangebe emphasized that, the poor condition of the road causes frequent breakdowns of heavy-duty vehicles and increases the risk of kidnappings, as criminals take advantage of the delays to ambush unsuspecting travelers.
According to him, commercial drivers and other motorist can testify the poor condition of the road.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently carry out emergency minor repairs on the road to ease the suffering of the people who travel on it daily”.
Sheikh Tukur Sani Jangebe also said the onset of this year’s rainy season has worsened the road’s condition, creating more potholes and making travel even more hazardous.
The cleric further called on the Governors of Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states to collaborate and rehabilitate all sections of the highway that require immediate attention, pending the ongoing road project reach to the section for final reconstruction.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the contractors handling the road project to expedite the pace of work to ensure its timely completion.
