By; IBRAHIM ADAMU, Kaduna
Joy and euphoria of Kakuri community was cut short as a result of sinking down of a road tarred by the federal government, through the Ministry of Agric and Rural Development.
Our correspondent who visited the bad portion of the road, saw that the surface layer of the newly constructed road had already been washed off by the rains and a gully created.
The more than one kilometre road constructed in February this year by B.P Sany CO. Nig. Ltd, with an office address at 12 Ubiaja Crescent, Garki, Abuja, stretches from the moribund Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL) through Makera Suburb to Galadimawa Road, a major linkway in the area.
A cross section of motorists, commercial tricycle operators and other road users who spoke to our reporter, expressed disappointment over the poor quality of job done by the contractor.
A commercial tricycle operator who simply identified himself as Isa Roja questioned the wisdom of making a road which could barely serve beneficiaries and deteriorate after a short period of time, adding that if such contractors were allowed to go scot-free, the public would be the ones to suffer for the infraction of very few.
“We were all rejoicing over the positive development of remembering us by the federal government through the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development when this hitherto muddy road was tarred.
“Our people welcomed the development with fanfare and happiness because instead of going through a long distance route, We got a relief and a very short cut to our destinations.
“Alas! Our joy did not last long because as you can see the road has started falling off with just one season of rain which is very unfortunate and pathetic.
“The road would have in normal circumstance serve us for years because trucks and heavy vehicles do not ply the road.
“How could a newly tarred road plied by motorcycles and light vehicles cave in barely six months after commission?” He wondered.
A motorcycle operator lamented the sad development, saying the contractor must have been compromised by a kickback arrangement which he noted was common feature in government circle in the award of contract.
“The contractor, I believe would have been sanctioned if truly he executed the project according to specifications but I strongly believe he did what he did in connivance with some government officials.
“How could such a fraud of a new road deteriorating within the shortest period of time be allowed to go unpunished,” he asked.
A resident of the area who preferred to speak anonymously expressed his anger, saying their joy was made short-lived by poor quality of the road.
“When I saw that the road was made without drainage system which would have channelled away surface running water from the road and also serve as barrier against pressure from other climatic conditions, I knew the project was not going to stand the test of time.
“Secondly, the materials used were of very low quality, according to an expert who expressed reservations when job was being done on the road.
“The bitumen and other materials were of low quality and not suitable for roads in this part of the World with consistent climate of wet and dry seasons, ” he explained.
