By: Our Correspondent
Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Emir of Yamaltu, in Gombe State, has expressed concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Yamaltu–Biu Road, damaged by severe erosion and threatening residents’ livelihoods.
Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, the Emir of Yamaltu, on Wednesday said that the road linked Gombe and Borno States.
He said the road was initially awarded under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and later re-awarded during the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
He lamented that, in spite of being awarded for construction, work had yet to commence, leaving residents, traders, and commuters vulnerable to frequent breakdowns and restricted access, especially during the rainy season.
“The prolonged neglect of this road is negatively affecting lives and livelihoods.
Erosion during rains renders the route nearly impassable for motorists,” Aliyu said, stressing the urgency of immediate intervention.
The Emir explained that the road served densely populated communities largely engaged in rain-fed and irrigation farming, vegetable cultivation, and livestock rearing, supplying national markets and contributing to Nigeria’s food security.
He further noted that repairing the road would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and enhance economic prosperity in both Gombe and Borno States due to the volume of agricultural activity.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to urgently intervene, emphasising that the road’s condition posed risks to lives and property, similar to other critical regional roads.
“We are calling on the Federal Government and the NEDC to act swiftly. Like the Bauchi–Gombe Road, this route is vital to the North-East sub-region,” the Emir stressed.
In spite of the concerns, Aliyu commended the Federal and Gombe State governments for ongoing infrastructure revitalisation and efforts to bridge development gaps across the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Emir of Yamaltu, Alh Abubakar Aliyu
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