Motorists lament deplorable road conditions in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina

As 2024 draws to a close and the festive season approaches, motorists and commuters in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina states have raised concerns over the poor state of road infrastructure in the region, citing its impact on travel efficiency and safety.

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed widespread dissatisfaction among road users, who blamed the dilapidated roads for frequent traffic accidents resulting in significant loss of lives and property.

In Kano, motorists decried the poor condition of major routes such as the Gwarzo-Katsina, Kano-Maiduguri, and sections of the Kano-Zaria highways, as well as several township roads, including those in Dakata, Kurna, and Mariri.

Many noted that travel times have increased due to potholes and lack of maintenance, with drivers like Isa Musa highlighting how delays and inefficiencies in navigating these roads contribute to accidents.

Another motorist, Adamu Aminu, attributed the situation to inadequate funding, corruption, and mismanagement, urging increased investment in infrastructure.

Meanwhile, an anonymous official from the Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA) disclosed that the state had rehabilitated over 50 roads, including prominent ones like Aminu Kano Way and Airport Road. However, residents insist that these efforts are insufficient to address the broader challenges.

In Katsina, the state government has embarked on the rehabilitation of the 39-kilometre Shargalle-Dutsi-Ingawa road, a project valued at N13.8 billion and awarded to MotherCat firm with a one-year completion timeline.

Governor Dikko Radda, speaking at the project’s launch, emphasised the road’s significance for trade and agriculture, noting that its poor condition has hindered socio-economic activities in the region. He stated that 40 per cent of the contract sum had already been paid and called on the contractor to deliver a quality job.

Traditional leaders like the District Head of Dutsi, Alhaji Lawal Sani, commended the project, noting that the road, originally built by former Governor Balarabe Musa, had remained largely neglected.

Katsina’s Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport, Alhaji Sani Magaji, assured residents of strict monitoring to ensure compliance with contractual terms.

In Kaduna, residents acknowledged ongoing rehabilitation efforts within the metropolis but expressed concerns over the neglect of rural areas.

Barnawa resident Lazarus Anche commended the government for its progress on township roads, while Ibrahim Hamza called for more attention to rural routes critical for transporting farm produce.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Kaduna Secretary, Suleiman Bature, lauded the government’s initiatives but criticised the slow pace of work, which he said affects motorists’ operations.

The Federal Government’s “Operation Free Our Roads,” a joint initiative by the Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has also been launched to address infrastructure challenges.

This programme includes pothole patching, pavement strengthening, bridge repairs, and general maintenance to improve road safety.

Despite these efforts, stakeholders in the three states continue to advocate for more robust funding, public-private partnerships, and decentralised infrastructure management to tackle the region’s road infrastructure crisis comprehensively.