Sokoto state government has embarked on barricading roads across the state capital in its bid to beautify the state capital and as a means of safety but the residents are unhappy about these barricades. In this report, Luca Godwin got an overview of the reactions of the people.
By Luka Godwin
ASHENEWS reports that residents of Sokoto State have complained about the road barricades that prevent them from crossing to the other side of the roads.
According to the residents, the road barricades is reducing their sales and making their daily activities and travels longer and more difficult.
In February 2024, barricades were installed on major roads in Sokoto State, such as Dongo Daji House Road, Kano Road, Arkilla Road, Emir Yahaya Road and Amadu Bello Way.
The government had explained that the reason for the barricades was to stop people from crossing to the other side. The road is also being erected as a means of beautification in the state.
The barricades have openings in business areas for people to pass through, but motorcycles and those who sell goods on wheelbarrows cannot use them.
Musa Musba’u, a pedestrian living in Area Command said he used to cross the road easily, but now he has to walk about a mile to find an opening to cross.
“Before, you could cross anywhere, but now you have to find an exit. You can’t just cross the road like we used to do before the barricades. These barricades are making my trips much longer.”
Umar Aliyu, a sachet water seller near Dongo Daji House said the barricades are hurting his business because they are on almost every road, forcing people to stay in one lane.
“A thirsty customer on the other side can’t get water from me because I can’t cross the road with immediate effect. While I’m trying to find a way to the other side, another water seller can serve the customer, and I lose money.”
Aminu Zayyanu, a wheelbarrow mango seller on Kano Road said it is very hard for him to move his wheelbarrow to the other side because openings are difficult to find.
“I try to find exit, but on some roads, our wheelbarrows cannot pass through because the openings are too small, meant only for people. I have to walk until I find a U-turn or T-junction to get to the other side.
“Before, I could cross the road or customers could come to me easily. Now, that’s not possible, and it’s really hurting my business. I used to make N7,000 to N8,000 daily, but now I hardly make N5,000.”
Sulleiman Abubakar, a motorcyclist at Gawon Nama said he now has to drive until he finds a U-turn or roundabout to get to the other side of the d and pick up passengers.
“Sometimes I am on the wrong side of the road for passengers, so I have to drive and turn. Often, by the time I turn, another bike has picked up the passenger. This wastes fuel, especially with the high prices now.
“In Sokoto State, roads were built without U-turns. Before the barricades, we could maneuver and switch lanes easily. But now, we have to go a long way to find a roundabout, wasting fuel and money.
“The government should not have placed barricades on all roads. These barriers are usually put on major roads, like expressways, not where people run their daily small businesses”, Abubakar said.
