From Maawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
People of the southern part of Katsina state, comprising 11 local government areas, have appealed to the federal government to hasten the completion of the Funtua-Dadume-BirninGwari road project.
Ya’u Ahmed Nowa, the spokesman of the people at the news conference, said the 130-kilometre road project was awarded in 2019 due to its terrible condition.
Now, who is Special Adviser on Employment and Promotion in Katsina, said the contractor handling the project abandoned work after completing only five kilometres in length.
He said the road which links Katsina state with other northern states has economic importance to the people of the southern part of Katsina.
“Funtua-Birnin Gwari road is a gateway to other parts of Nigeria, it has economic importance to our businessmen,” he said.
Nowa lamented that the terrible condition of the road provided an opportunity for bandits to carry out their activities.
“The completion of the road will boost economic activities, especially for farmers to transport their agricultural products to the Southern part of Nigeria,” Nowa said.
On insecurity facing the areas, Nowa called on President Tinubu to deploy more soldiers to the Birnin-Gwari forest.
He said the forest has become a hideout and operational headquarters for bandits in carrying out their activities.