Commercial drivers and other road users have urged the Federal Government to expedite work on the reconstruction of the Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua Road to ease end-of-year vehicular movement.
In separate interviews, residents lamented the slow pace of the project despite being handled by three different construction companies.
A commercial driver, Mu’assimu Auwal, commended the Federal Government for initiating the project and recalled that drivers celebrated when the reconstruction began due to the poor condition of the road.
He said the bad road had caused drivers financial losses, frequent vehicle repairs, tyre bursts and other challenges.
“Previously, we spent only two hours traveling from Sokoto to Gusau. Now we spend more than four hours. It increases fuel consumption and causes unnecessary delays,” he said.
Another road user, Yusha’u Adamu, also criticized the slow progress, noting that the poor condition of the road had resulted in a series of accidents.
Auwal added that the situation had worsened insecurity, as kidnappers take advantage of bad portions of the road to carry out attacks. He said many casualties had been recorded despite the presence of security checkpoints along the route.
The Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Sokoto State, Muhammad Labaran, described the road as “horrible” and urged the government to speed up the work to prevent further accidents and attacks.
Labaran, however, praised the Federal Government for improving the Sokoto–Yauri and Sokoto–Illela roads, but appealed for urgent action on the Sokoto–Gusau route.
Reacting, the Federal Controller of Works in Sokoto State, Mr. Maigwandu Kassimu, said the Sokoto–Gusau–Zaria section was progressing as expected. He noted that the contractor had been directed to carry out palliative repairs to make the road more motorable.
Kassimu assured that before Christmas, the contractor would complete work from Sokoto metropolis to Dange town in Dange-Shuni Local Government Area. He recalled that the dualisation contract was awarded on May 31, 2023, with a 36-month completion timeline, and said 13 kilometers of concrete rigid pavement had so far been completed.
He confirmed that contractors had sufficient materials and equipment and urged communities and motorists to cooperate to ensure timely completion.
Kassimu also expressed satisfaction with repairs completed between 2023 and 2024 on the Sokoto–Birnin Kebbi, Sokoto–Jega–Yauri and Sokoto–Illela roads, noting that the routes were now motorable. He said he expected smooth travel during the yuletide with no major traffic disruptions.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Maikano Hassan, said the Corps had launched a statewide campaign against dangerous driving ahead of the festive season.
Hassan said the FRSC had developed strategies to promote responsible driving, warning that “crashes kill more passengers than drivers.”
He advised commuters to avoid speeding, overloading, the use of unsafe tyres, drunk driving, phone use while driving, and other unsafe behaviors. He added that the command was ready to enhance road safety through engagements with stakeholders and security agencies.
