The Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has declared four Federal Government roads in the state as death traps for motorists and commuters. The dilapidated roads are located in Gulani and Geidam local councils, including the Geidam-Maine/Sorowa border road with Niger Republic.

Buni raised the alarm, at the weekend, before the House Committee members on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), led by Aderemi Abasi Iseni at the Government House in Damaturu.

Lamenting the poor state of roads and the dangers they pose to motorists and commuters, Buni said: “The rehabilitation of these roads should be prioritised by the Federal Government to protect people’s lives and property while commuting to various parts of the state.”

The governor, speaking on the dangers of bad roads, noted that the damaged portions are death traps to motorists and commuters. He stated that drivers are usually forced to slowdown or stop to reduce the “wear and tear” of their vehicles, adding that drivers and passengers are also vulnerable to Boko Haram, Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists and other criminal attacks.

He added that beyond FERMA’s refilling of road pot holes, complete rehabilitation of the affected roads would make it difficult for terrorists and other criminals to operate in the state and other border communities.

Buni insisted that the rehabilitation of the roads is to complement Federal Government’s efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and reinforce the security architecture in the state.

Iseni, on his part, said that the House committee was in the state as part of its regional oversight and assessment tour in the country.
He promised that the roads would be factored into the agency’s forthcoming intervention programmes.