The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to reconstruct the Bauchi-Gombe-Yola road to prevent further loss of lives and property.
The lower chamber of the National Assembly also called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to commence remedial works on the road pending the reconstruction exercise.
This followed a motion by Rep. Ali Isa (Gombe-PDP) on the “need to reconstruct Bauchi-Gombe-Yola road’’.
Moving the motion, Isa explained that the rehabilitating the federal highway would alleviate the sufferings of the people in the region.
Isa said that the road was the only major road linking the three states in the North-East.
He described the road as an economic lifeline that boosted trade and other economic activities among the people of the North-East and the country in general.
“We are aware that due to high volume of trade and economic activities among the people of the North-East zone, the road is always busy with traffic but no maintenance has been carried out for long.
“The road has also deteriorated with large potholes and washed off shoulders,’’ he said.
Isa further expressed worry that insurgents and armed robbers were taking advantage of the deplorable condition of the road to attack travellers and disposed them of their valuables.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.
The House, therefore, mandated its Committees on Works and Appropriations to include the reconstruction and dualisation of the Bauchi-Gombe-Yola road in the 2017 budget.
It also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation. (NAN)
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