Though road accident is a natural phenomenon, there are certain artificial factors contributing to its occurrence. Such factors include bad road, over-speeding, non-adherence to traffic rules, brake failure, drink-driving and distractions, among others.
In Nigeria, 99 per cent of road accidents are a result of bad roads. According to Global Status Report on Road Safety, nearly 40,000 people die in road accidents every year in Nigeria due to bad roads, over-speeding and brake failure.
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Yola to Gombe road has broken down such that a 10-15-minute journey takes over an hour. Thus, the road has become a death trap for commuters due to incessant attacks by armed robbers, killing and stealing people’s belongings.
The bad condition of the road from Savannah to Shelleng is such that passengers alight and trek to allow the car to pass and avoid being stuck. Flood has washed away the road completely; no loaded vehicle can pass.
Sadly, the contract for the construction of Yola-Gombe highway was awarded by the Obasanjo administration and re-awarded by the Jonathan government, yet nothing has been done.
The people of Savannah and Shalleng are mostly agrarian; they can’t transport their goods to the market during the rainy season, as a result, they record huge losses every year.
I want to appeal to the federal government to award the contract again and ensure its completion in order to save lives and ameliorate the suffering of the people.
Ukasha Rabiu, Magama Toro LGA, Bauchi State
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