By; TINA PHINEAS, Yola.
Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State has flagged –off the construction of the 37 kilometers Kiri- Shelleng road to ease transportation in the area.
Flagging off the construction during the weekend, Governor Jibrilla said that the measure was historic in view of the various failed attempts made by past administrations to make the construction of the important road a reality.
Acording to him, the first attempt at constructing a road to Shelleng when it was under Guyuk Local Government Area in 1996, actually started during the civilian administration of Governor Abubakar Barde of blessed memory.
The Governor disclosed that Gen. Abdullahi Shelleng of blessed
memory, Governor Boni Haruna and Governor Murtala Nyako all made attempt at constructing Kiri-Shelleng road without success.
“In fact, the drama of the construction of of this important road resulted in serious consequences leading to the accusation that the construction of Kiri-Shelleng road is nothing but a conduit pipe of siphoning government funds or resources.” Jibrilla said.
Jibrilla therefore urged for support and cooperation of the people of Shelleng, stressing that his administration in spite of its lean purse would not give excuses, but deliver on its campaign promises within it limited resources.
He also charged the people of Shelleng to put their heads together and remain united irrespective of tribe and religion, as there is progress in unity.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Works, Barrister Mrs Lilian Stephen, said the contract was awarded to Triacta Nigeria at the cost of N3.2 billion to be completed in two years due to the difficult terrain.
Stephen urged for the support and cooperation of the people of the area to the contracting firm to enable it deliver the job in good time.
She cautioned against dumping of waste into drainages to be
constructed to avoid flood.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Elie Farhat, said the company was committed to deliver the project and urged for the government and people support in that direction.
In their various remarks, prominent personalities in the area
including traditional ruler, Amna Shelleng, Abdullahi Managina, Member representing the area in the State Assembly, Abubakar Isa and Senator Ahmed Barata, Rep. Philip Batuwa lauded the development which they described as historic.
They assured the support and cooperation of the people of the area to the government to continue to deliver in its campaign promises.
The people of Kiri and Shelleng communities in Shelleng Local Government area of Adamawa state have been suffering for forty years due to lackof roads, been farmers, they find it virtually impossible to take their produce to the market.
With this recent development, it is believed that the sufferings of the people of Kiri and Shelleng communities may have come to an end.
