Residents Hail N134bn Road Projects Insist More Impactful Needs Neglected In Southern Zone

Some residents and stakeholders in Taraba South Senatorial District have welcomed the multi-billion-naira road and bridge projects being executed by the Taraba State Government but insist that several smaller yet more impactful needs remain neglected.

Governor Agbu Kefas recently flagged off major road and bridge projects valued at over N134 billion across the southern zone of the state, describing the interventions as a bold step towards economic growth, unity and improved security.

The projects include the N11.7 billion, 12-kilometre Takum–Lissam Road; the N37 billion Wukari–Chinkai Road; and the N85.9 billion Takum flyover bridge, dual carriageway, interchange and internal roads in Wukari. The projects are expected to significantly improve transportation and boost commercial activities in the zone.

The flag-off ceremony of the Takum–Lissam Road, held at Lissam in Ussa Local Government Area, attracted top government officials, lawmakers and community leaders from within and outside Taraba State and was described by many residents as historic.

While residents largely commended the state government for its heavy investment in road infrastructure, some stakeholders expressed concern that the scale and priority of certain projects, particularly the proposed Takum Junction flyover in Wukari, may not reflect the most pressing needs of the people.

One resident, who spoke as a concerned citizen, praised the construction and rehabilitation of Wukari township roads, especially the Wukari–Kente–Chinkai Road, saying it would greatly enhance mobility and economic activities in the area.

However, he urged the government to reconsider the Takum Junction flyover, describing it as less urgent when compared with other critical needs facing Wukari town.

According to him, priority should be given to the dualisation of key roads, including Nyuko village to Chunku village; Takum Junction to Ibbi Roundabout; Hospital Roundabout to Government Girls' Secondary School and the Federal University; as well as Idofi village to Hospital Roundabout. He also called for the dualisation of Katsina-Ala Road and the construction of access roads linking Nyuko village to Gidan Motor, Tsokundi and Newside Mechanic Village.

The resident further advocated improved healthcare facilities, including the establishment of a general hospital in Wukari town, noting that the existing teaching hospital is overstretched. He added that Taraba State lacks critical medical equipment such as an MRI scanning machine.

On electricity supply, he appealed for the installation of 30 KVA transformers in the city centre and surrounding communities to address persistent power challenges.

He argued that the estimated N8 billion-plus budget for the flyover could be redirected to address these needs, which he said would have a more direct and widespread impact on residents' daily lives.

Similarly, an engineer and development advocate, Engr. Ajinatswen Dawuda, MNSE, a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, warned against what he described as the "flyover syndrome," where large projects are pursued at the expense of basic development needs.

Dawuda said true development should be measured by improvements in access to water, electricity, healthcare, education and support for small and medium-scale enterprises, rather than the visual appeal of large infrastructure.

"Wukari does not suffer from traffic congestion that warrants a flyover. There is no persistent gridlock or major economic route blocked by heavy traffic. Without these conditions, the flyover risks becoming a decorative megaproject rather than a functional necessity," he said.

He added that projects driven mainly by political image or prestige do little to address the underlying socio-economic challenges of the people.

"This is a personal opinion from a burdened heart yearning for accelerated socio-economic development and the stimulation of small and medium-scale enterprises in my hometown, and by extension, in Taraba State," Dawuda said.

Another resident said prioritizing projects that balance progress with people's welfare is key insisting that some developments can be counterproductive if they don't consider the community's needs.

Despite the concerns raised, residents acknowledged that the government's massive investment in infrastructure reflects commitment to development, while urging authorities to strike a balance between mega projects and community-level interventions that directly improve living conditions across Taraba South.