Bwari residents seek completion of Zango, Kogo road projects
By Veronica Dariya
Some residents of Zango and Kogo communities in Bwari Area Council, FCT have appealed to the district administration to expedite work on ongoing road construction projects in the communities.
The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bwari, Abuja.
The residents while lauding the government’s efforts to develop the areas after years of neglect noted that the quick completion of the roads would ease movement and improve livelihoods.
A resident of Zango community, Mallam Buhari Aminu, a tailor in the area, said the prolonged construction had worsened commuting.
According to him, motorists and commercial motorcyclists now spend more time and money navigating alternative routes or portions of the road under construction.
He said: “The situation has affected activities in the community, especially for some of us business owners, because our customers now find it difficult to access us, so business has slowed down.”
Aminu appealed to the contractors handling the projects to increase the pace of work, and urged them to ensure that the roads were completed to the required standard to avoid the need for sudden repairs.
He, however, commended the present administration of the council for initiating the road project, adding that its completion would improve accessibility, boost economic activities, and enhance the quality of life in Zango community.
Another resident of the community, Mrs Rita Felix, urged relevant stakeholders to closely monitor the ongoing project.
This, she said, was to ensure that contractors remained committed to agreed timelines and addressed challenges slowing down the construction.
“This is so that the situation would not end up frustrating residents rather than earning applause for the government’s efforts,” Felix said.
Similarly, Mr Matthew Ikenna, a business owner in Kogo II community, said the slow pace of work had made movement difficult for both residents and commuters.
Ikenna expressed concern over the effect of the prolonged construction on vehicles, saying motorists were spending more on fuel and repairs due to the frequent use of alternative roads and sometimes rough routes.
He said: “This road is almost as if it has been abandoned. Work started during the last administration and it is yet to be completed.
“It has made movement so difficult, particularly during and after the rains.
“You find that portions of the road become muddy, slippery, and difficult to navigate, causing traffic sometimes. And when it is the dry season, we will encounter dust.
“We are appealing; please, they should consider us. We know they are trying their best, but let them remember us and come to finish the road for this community. It is long overdue.”
Ikenna also noted that the road was an important route connecting residents to the market, Ushafa, the Defence College camp, workplaces, health facilities, and other parts of the area council.
According to him, the condition of the road had affected schoolchildren, workers, and other residents who depend on the route for their daily activities.
He added that residents sometimes had to leave home earlier than usual to beat traffic congestion and delays caused by diversions and bad portions of the road.
The businessman also stressed that the speedy completion of the road would not only ease transportation but also strengthen connections between the community and other parts of the district.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Joshua Ishaku, assured that his administration was working assiduously to ensure that challenges slowing down the road construction would be addressed soon.
Inspecting the ongoing asphalt overlay and construction of concrete drainage lines at Zango, linking Daban Avenue in the town, Ishaku acknowledged the importance of the road to the development of the communities.
Ishaku said the council was concerned about the challenges residents were facing as a result of the ongoing construction.
The council chairman assured that efforts were being made to engage the relevant authorities and contractors on the need to accelerate work.
He added that the council would continue to monitor the projects and liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure that construction was completed within the agreed timeframe and in line with required standards.
The chairman also appealed to residents to remain patient and cooperate with the contractors, noting that the completion of the roads would bring significant relief to commuters and other residents whose daily activities depend on the routes. (NAN)
DVK/DE
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah
