From: Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse
Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, on Monday, said he has chosen the ‘painful path’ of completing the inherited multi-billion naira worth of road projects against initiating new ones.
The governor said when he came on board he was caught in between completing multi-billion naira worth of abandoned road projects and starting new ones that would be against his political party’s popularity.
In the words of Governor Badaru, “If I should abandon those roads, that means we are wasting the peoples resources that was already invested, and continuing with them, will certainly take me three and a half years to complete and at the detriment of being popular.
“As of today, we have completed most of those roads but yet the same opposition as envisaged, are those accusing us of not initiating any new projects rather completing the ones they have left for us”, he stated.
The governor, however, commended former Governor Sule Lamido for his vision in providing excellent road networks across the state.
Governor Badaru stated this while receiving the members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) during a courtesy visit on him.
He continued, “Jigawa still remains the best state that has excellent road networks constructed by the previous administration”.
Governor Badaru who said he is the association’s advocate before the Federal Government, explained that, “The president is aware of the deplorable conditions of the country’s roads and that is why the government is borrowing money to fix them”, he said.
He said he was also aware of the challenges being faced by road transporters in trying to convey passengers, good and other services adding that, “I have offered myself to be your advocate to the Federal Government and I will do my best to continue to talk on your behalf”.
Earlier the national President of NARTO Dr.Kassim Batayya who said they are in Dutse for their 17th Annual General Meeting of their association (AGM)commended the governor for providing the members in the state with vehicles that would be repaid installmentally.
He urge the governor to investigate the recent clash between the members of NARTO and NURTW in the state declaring that NARTO is an association of investors that would not engage in feud that could result in the destruction of their vehicles.
He charge the governor to repair deplorable roads in some parts of the state that have been a source of concern to motorists.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) held its 17th Annual General Meeting yesterday in Dutse the Jigawa state capital.