JIBRIN BABA NDACE writes on the horrendous state of Bida-Mokwa road, and how it is affecting the socio-economic and political activities of the area
Travelling, whatever may be the motive, be it business or leisure, is always expected to be a pleasurable and memorable experience, whether it is by road, air or sea.
In Nigeria, where road has remained the major means of transportation onto other parts of the country, travelling is not just a nightmare, but sometimes a dangerous adventure.
One of the unbearable roads that give users nightmarish experience is Bida-Mokwa road.
Bida-Mokwa road has been described by Yusuf Ladun, a driver who plies the road regularly, as a road capable of causing miscarriage for a pregnant who has the misfortune of travelling on it.
Bida is the cultural headquarters of Nupe kingdom, and the abode of His Royal Highness, Etsu Nupe and chairman, Niger state council of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar. It is a major link to towns and villages within the area.
Between Bida and Mokwa are major towns such as Kutigi, the headquarters of Lavun Local government and one of the oldest local governments in Niger state; then Enagi, Headquarters of Edati Local government. Other communities include Kpaki, the home town of a former Deputy Governor of Niger state and minister of state, foreign affairs, Late Alhaji Idris Alhassan Kpaki; Takuma, yet another community that produced the National Secretary of National Party of Nigeria (NPN), late Alhaji Suleiman Takuma. And the road also serves as link to other important communities that are off the major road. Some of these communities include Dabban, Maali, Charati, Yeti, Jippan Sakpe, Ruggan Cibo, Kantigi, Tyabo, Chiji, Jaagi, Fazhi, Zhigun and several others too numerous to mention, but equally very important communities both in term of socio-economic importance and electoral values.
This zone has produced eminent Nigerians in the judiciary, the military, police and paramilitary, top civil servants and technocrats at both state and federal levels. Some of these personalities include former Justice of the federation (CJN) and Chairman of the forthcoming National Conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, late Bima Enagi, Alhaji Abdurrahman Hassan Enagi, who taught
two heads of state at the famous Rumfa College, Kano (Late General Murtala Mohammed and Late General Sani Abacha; and former Grand Khadi of Niger state, late justice Idris Panti).
Apart from being a major link to these important communities mentioned above, the road has also served, for several decades, as main road that connects various travelers from northern part to the southern part of the country through Jebba, Ilorin-Ibadan and Lagos.
This has also in the process enhanced the economic activities of the area.
However, as the population of the area grows and more vehicles ply the road, so it continues to deteriorate. When a traveler leaves Bida to Mokwa, which is just about 120 kilometres, he enters a dreadful journey which would seem as something that would last forever. It is not just horrible, but defying law of motion. On it, at some spot, a traveler on a camel, horse or donkey could easily outpace a car user with ease, just because it is overly riddled with potholes.
To travel on Bida-Mokwa road is to be on a snail-pace journey. From Bida to Wuya Kpasanako to Wuya Kede through Batati to Kutigi through Enagi to Labozhi to Kudu, the story is the same. At some spot potholes are deep, that it could cover a sitting cow.
Between Ibba junction and Kudu, where Supertex Farm that is managed by Shepherd Agriculture, South Africa is situated, there is ‘no road’. Even in the dry seasons, the road is usually poorer than a feeder road.
Speaking with Blueprint, a man named Mohammed Tswanya said that it was unfortunate that the road has been neglected.
He said: “It is unfortunate that the road that is so important to the social-economic life of the people and also a major link between North and South has been abandoned for years. It is the shortest route to Lagos. But because of the deplorable state, travelers have to find other route, which is long.
“When Nigeria experienced flood in 2012 and Abuja-Lokoja road was closed, the strategic importance of the road became apparent.”
Also speaking on the road, Yakubu Ndana said the state of the road was a clear indication that Zone A of Niger state has nothing to show for its support for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999.
“Zone A has always been on the side of the ruling party both at the state and federal levels since the return of democracy in 1999. If the people have shown so much support, it is unfair to pay them back with bad road.
“I know the road is in the news, I hope that this time, it is for real. We have had several such cases across the country where contractors are mobilized to site close to election year, only for such projects to be abandoned immediately after election. In 2005, then President Olusegun Obasanjo carried out a ground breaking ceremony on the same road between Mokwa and Jebba,” he said.
Ndana, who said that the state of the road is an indication that Nupe Kingdom is completely forgotten, noted the repairs are beyond FERMA.
“It seems Nupe kingdom is completely forgotten by both the state and federal government despite the massive support the zone has been giving to both state and federal government since 1999.
Even though FERMA has been carrying out some repairs, it is clear that the road is beyond FERMA. It requires complete overhaul. We must change our politics in the zone. It should be politics of development.”
For travelers who are used to a road like Abuja-Kaduna expressway, travelling on Bida-Mokwa would be an experience that should be better forgotten, for It is a journey that should not be more than one hour, but takes three to four hours.
