The Bauchi State House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently construct the approximately 17-kilometer Yalwan Duguri–Gayar–Mukal–Darma–Kunkar–Mumbana–Kumbala road in the Duguri/Gwana Constituency of the Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The call followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Duguri/Gwana Constituency, Hon. Bala Abdullahi Dan, during plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Dan said the road connects several densely populated agrarian communities whose residents depend largely on crop production, livestock rearing, and other rural economic activities.
He said the lack of a properly constructed road had subjected residents to transportation difficulties, particularly during the rainy season when parts of the route become inaccessible.
According to him, the poor condition of the road has made it difficult to evacuate farm produce, increased transportation costs, contributed to post-harvest losses, and affected the income of farmers and traders in the communities.
The lawmakers also said the condition of the road had hindered residents’ access to healthcare facilities, schools, markets, and other essential social amenities.
Dan argued that the continued neglect of the road had constrained commercial activities, discouraged investment, and contributed to rural poverty despite the economic potential of the communities along the corridor.
He cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, stressing that critical infrastructure was essential to achieving the objective.
He said constructing the road would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce to urban markets, stimulate commerce, improve access to social services, strengthen security operations, and promote greater integration among the affected communities.
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The motion was co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, representing Ningi Constituency; Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Jamilu Umaru Dahiru, representing Bauchi Constituency; Hon. Auwal Hassan, representing Shira Constituency; Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi, representing Lame Constituency; Hon. Ibrahim Burra, representing Burra Constituency; Hon. Ladan Mohammed, representing Ganjuwa East Constituency; Hon. Bldr. Sa’idu Sulaiman Darazo, representing Darazo Constituency; and Hon. Dr. Nasiru Ala Ahmed, representing Madara/Chinade Constituency.
In its prayers, the House called on the Executive Arm of Government, through the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, to urgently construct the 17-kilometer road linking Yalwan Duguri, Gayar, Mukal, Darma, Kunkar, Mumbana, and Kumbala.
The Assembly also urged the state government to make adequate budgetary provision for the survey, design, and execution of the project in the forthcoming fiscal year and include it among priority rural infrastructure projects.
Pending the full construction of the road, the House called on the Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to provide immediate palliative measures to ease the difficulties faced by residents of the affected communities.
The Assembly also called on the Executive Arm of Government to urgently construct the approximately 15-kilometer Gumau–Sauke–Unguwan Kadiri–Danka–Pingel–Mana road in the Lame Constituency of the Toro Local Government Area.
The call followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Lame Constituency, Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi, during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Abdu Rishi said the proposed road was a critical economic link connecting communities that contribute to Bauchi State’s agricultural and mineral economy.
He explained that farming remained a major economic activity along the corridor, while mining activities, including the extraction of minerals such as tin and columbite, also take place in the area.
The lawmaker, however, said the poor condition of the road had continued to impede economic activities, particularly during the rainy season, when gullies, erosion, and cracks reportedly render portions of the route almost impassable.
According to him, the condition of the road had made it difficult for farmers to transport agricultural produce to markets, while miners, traders, and other economic operators faced increased transportation costs.
He added that the infrastructure deficit also affected residents’ access to neighboring communities and essential services, including education, healthcare, and commerce.
Abdu Rishi said improving the road would enhance economic productivity, household incomes, and the development of communities along the corridor.
He urged the government to treat the project as an economic infrastructure intervention supporting agriculture, mining, commerce, and rural development rather than merely as a community access road.
The lawmaker also called for a proper engineering assessment of the route, noting that grading the road without addressing its environmental challenges could provide only a temporary solution.
He advocated the construction of adequate drainage systems, culverts, and erosion-control structures to ensure the durability of the project.
Abdu Rishi said residents of Gumau, Sauke, Unguwan Kadiri, Danka, Pingel, Mana, and surrounding communities deserved a reliable road network, urging the House to support the motion and draw the Executive’s attention to the infrastructure deficit in the area.
The motion was co-sponsored by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, representing Ningi Constituency; Hon. Bello Sarkin Jadori, representing Gamawa Constituency; Hon. Bldr. Sa’idu Sulaiman Darazo, representing Darazo Constituency; Hon. Dayyabu Mohammed Ladan, representing Ganjuwa East Constituency; Hon. Engr. Adamu Garba Kawu, representing Ganjuwa West Constituency; and Hon. Ahmed Mohammed Lele, representing Udubo Constituency.
In its prayers, the House called on the Executive Arm of Government to undertake the construction of the approximately 15-kilometer Gumau–Sauke–Unguwan Kadiri–Danka–Pingel–Mana road.
The Assembly also called for the urgent provision of adequate drainage, culverts, and erosion-control structures along the route to address the gullies and erosion that have contributed to its deteriorating condition.
It further urged the Executive Arm to prioritize the project in its annual budgetary estimates, taking into consideration the strategic importance of the road to agricultural and mining activities in the affected communities.