Residents of Sabon Gero community, off Millennium City in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have appealed to the state government to urgently intervene in the reconstruction of their road, which has remained in a deplorable condition despite being awarded to a contractor almost a year ago.
The community members lamented that the poor state of the road has continued to cause untold hardship.
According to them, pregnant women face serious risks when forced to travel on motorcycles to access antenatal services outside the community, as there is no hospital within the area.
One of the residents, Rashida Shehu, a pregnant woman who sustained injuries while navigating the bad road on her way to town for antenatal care, decried the neglect and pleaded with the government to come to their aid.
The situation has also disrupted children’s education, as there is no public primary school in the area and many pupils are unable to endure the difficult journey to schools outside the community. Farmers equally lament their inability to transport produce to markets due to the poor state of the road.
Speaking to Radio Nigeria Kaduna, the traditional head of the community, Mai Anguwa Sunusi, said it has been exactly one year since the road project was awarded to Think Lab Construction Company, yet little or no progress has been made.
He called on the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Sabon Gero road for the benefit of the community and the state at large.
Community youths, under the umbrella of the Sabon Gero Development Association, have also threatened to stage peaceful demonstrations if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.
They stressed that the abandoned project has not only hampered development but also exposed the community to accidents and insecurity, as motorists often avoid the area.
Similarly, traders and small business owners in Sabon Gero complained that the bad road has discouraged outsiders from investing or doing business in the community.
According to them, the neglect of the project contradicts the government’s promise of inclusive development and has left them feeling marginalized.
COV: Khadija Kubau
