It was a warm noon in July in the Shiyar Fada area of Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi state. As everyone went about their daily activities, the sun lit the path on which residents of the area sought their daily bread.
While commercial motorcyclists zipped to and fro and pedestrians walked with purpose to their various destinations, the euphoria of the good road could be seen sparkling all over the residents’ faces.
This is the road that was once characterised with potholes, causing unrest and accidents in the heart of Birnin Kebbi. However, this transformative road construction project has breathed new life into the Shiyar Fada area and its environs.
When Dataphyte visited Shiyar Fada, Abubakar Abdullahi, a local shop owner in the community was standing in his shop comfortably; attending to customers as he recalled the challenges they faced before the renovation— his facial expression showed the joy the new construction had brought.
“Now, we thank God, the road was in bad condition, full of potholes,” Abdullahi told our reporter as he recounted when the road from the old cemetery leading to Dan Ige House was plagued with potholes, making navigation a daily struggle.
During the construction phase, Abubakar and other community members experienced disruptions. The heavy machinery used for the road construction generated intense vibrations, causing his goods to fall and necessitating occasional shop closures. Additionally, the air was often filled with dust, leading to lost sales.
However, the end result of the construction has been a blessing.
“The newly constructed road has increased my sales and I am grateful,” he said, attributing this to the easy access now available to customers. “Allah shi ka rama kaura Albarka,” translated as May Allah bless the Kaura (the state governor) — a statement confirming the easy path the new road has brought.
The Plight: Road in the Nigerian Context
Despite roads being the arteries through which an economy springs to life, Research shows that Nigeria’s road infrastructure is critically underdeveloped with a mere 200,000km of tarred road network serving a vast land area of 923,768 square kilometres and a population of over 200 million.
According to WHO’s report, Nigeria has the highest road casualties recording over 39,000 road fatalities annually, rating at 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population. Across the world, road traffic deaths are rising with 1.35 million fatalities annually, mostly affecting young people and vulnerable road users. Low-income countries like Nigeria have a threefold higher risk and Africa has the highest rate (26.6 per 100,000) while Europe has the fewest casualties (9.3 per 100,000).
In a report titled, The Role of Road Transport in the Marketing of Agricultural Products, bad roads hinder economic development by impeding infrastructure growth, limiting access to markets, and reducing employment opportunities. They also affect agricultural development, leading to reduced selling prices for farm products and decreased revenue for farmers.
The report explained that bad roads have far-reaching consequences, including increased travel times, reduced access to essential services, and decreased economic competitiveness. They also lead to increased vehicle maintenance costs and reduced productivity which ultimately affects the overall quality of life.
The Project
As gotten from the Dataphyte’s Anfani Portal and also contained in number 12 of the 2020 Kebbi State awarded project, the amount of N779,049,435 Million Naira was awarded to Habibu Eng Nigeria Limited for the execution of this project as placed under the Ministry of Road and Transport.
From interviews with the people of the community and motorcyclists, Dataphyte, a platform monitoring government projects gathered that the project has been completed and is aiding business, transport and life of the commuters.
The road has been ushering a wave of positive change, this was confirmed by Dataphyte during a recent visit.
For local bike riders, the new road is a game-changer. It makes life easier for them; and reduces stress.
Kabir Musa, one of the commercial motorcyclists, recounted the pre-construction woes: narrow roads, frequent accidents and tyre-damaging potholes.
Community Leaders React
The residence of Shiyar Fada and leaders like Suffiyanu Alhaji , the chief Imam of Masalaci Gabas Shiyar Fada, believed that the project stands as a testament to the power of infrastructure development in transforming communities.
“The road was tight; it couldn’t even contain two cars and a bike,” he explained. “Alhamdulillah, the roads are in much better condition now. Cars move smoothly, people walk safely on side walkways, and the U-turns are now orderly,” he noted, highlighting the enhanced safety and efficiency.
The residence of Shiyar Fada and leaders like Suffiyanu Alhaji , the chief Imam of Masalaci Gabas Shiyar Fada, believed that the project stands as a testament to the power of infrastructure development in transforming communities.
“Alhamdulillah, the road is an achievement, it enhances the beauty of the area; its surroundings and reduces the rate of accidents in the area,” he explained how cars from the Western bypass on speed used to crash due to narrow roads before the construction.
Similarly, Mallami Mahe, ‘Chairman’ of the area expressed delight over the transformation of their once dilapidated road.
He said,”The road was untidy and impassable but now, thanks to the construction, buildings and shops are well-placed and rainfall no longer floods people’s homes. With this development, you can walk freely around the environment even when it rains,” Mahe noted.
Anas Sheu, 37, the recent road construction in the area has significantly improved mobility and safety. “Before transportation was difficult but now, movement is easy and accidents have decreased especially near the old cemetery,” he added that the upgraded infrastructure has also boosted local businesses with shops like printing, typing shops and small malls.
Anas however is eager for more development. He urges the government to build a road behind the cemetery to the West.
“Construction will curb these vices and enhance security. We want the government to prioritise these projects to create a safer and more prosperous community,”he added.
Expert Reacts
Meanwhile, Anjorin Robert, a road expert and survey engineer, told Dataphyte that a good road is a gateway to development in any settlement or community. He said while good roads provide ease of travel, quicker travel times, and safety, bad roads lead to increased travel times, safety risks, and exposure to criminal activities like banditry and kidnapping.
“Bad roads don’t guarantee safety, and vehicles may be exposed to accidents, bandits, and kidnappers. Bad roads affect travel time, safety, prices of goods and vehicles which harm the economy and people.”
Robert highlighted the example of the Akure to Abuja route, which should take around 4-5 hours but often results in 7- 10 hours or more due to poor network road conditions. “This affects the safety of goods and vehicles, leading to mechanical issues and increased costs for passengers and goods,” he noted.
While emphasising the importance of good roads in driving Nigerian economic growth and development, Mr Robert said that good roads have a significant impact on the economy and daily life because they enable quick delivery of goods and services, smooth transportation, and boost workers’ productivity.
He believes that Nigeria’s poor road conditions can be resolved if the government prioritises infrastructure development. “As I said, everything falls back to the government. They should focus on essential projects like road construction and rehabilitation, rather than diverting resources to unnecessary endeavours.” He said this will ensure people’s safety in accessing roads without fear of transportation and transaction issues.
“The government must recognize that this is just as straightforward and simple as ABC, this is not rocket science. It now left for them to address the country’s pressing road needs,” Mr Robert added.
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