Senate urges FG to re-award Bauchi-Ningi highway reconstruction contract

n n

Senate

n

…Directs FERMA to carry out emergency repairs on failed sections

n

By Henry Umoru

n

ABUJA — The Senate has urged the Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Works to re-award the contract for the reconstruction of the Bauchi-Ningi Federal Highway, citing the road’s deteriorated condition and its importance as a major link between the North-East and North-West.

n

The upper chamber also called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately undertake emergency palliative repairs on the failed sections of the highway pending its full rehabilitation.

n

In addition, the Senate urged the Ministry of Works to commence the immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Bauchi-Ningi Federal Highway, describing the project as a matter of urgent national importance.

n

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Urgent Need for the Rehabilitation of the Bauchi-Ningi Federal Highway,” sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), a former Deputy Senate Leader.

n

The Senate also mandated its Committee on Works to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the highway, engage relevant stakeholders, and report back within four weeks with recommendations for legislative action.

n

Moving the motion, Senator Ningi noted that the Bauchi-Ningi Federal Highway, constructed in the late 1980s, has suffered decades of neglect without any major rehabilitation.

n

He said the combined effects of age, prolonged abandonment, rising traffic volume and lack of routine maintenance had left the highway in a state of severe disrepair, with extensive pavement failures, deep potholes and eroded sections that now pose serious risks to motorists.

n

According to him, the poor condition of the road has significantly increased travel time, turning what should be a one-hour journey between Bauchi and Ningi, a distance of about 100 kilometres, into a nearly four-hour trip. He added that the situation has increased transportation costs, reduced productivity and disrupted economic activities.

n

The lawmaker further warned that the deplorable condition of the highway has exposed commuters to frequent road accidents, armed robbery and other security threats, particularly where vehicles are forced to slow down or become stranded on damaged portions of the road.

n

He expressed concern that the continued neglect of the highway has negatively impacted interstate commerce, agricultural value chains and regional integration, undermining the Federal Government’s commitment to economic growth, national connectivity and safe transportation.

n

Senator Ningi stressed that without urgent intervention, the road would continue to endanger lives and property, increase transportation costs and worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians and businesses that rely on the strategic transport corridor.

n n