By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
Recently, the Nasarawa State Government under the able leadership of Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, commenced the construction of flyover and and underpass, in Lafia, the state capital amongst other gigantic projects for the purpose of good governance.
Many questions were asked and still being asked by some persons in the state about the wisdom or otherwise of having a flyover and under pass in Lafia.
Some went extra miles and took to their social media handles, criticising the lofty decision of the governor to construct an iconic fly over and under pass, that will give the state capital a befitting status.
As we all know, a flyover is a road constructively created with an elevation at a given junction or intersection, that could be with or without any subsidiary principally aimed at controlling traffic at a given road intersection.
It is designed to lessen traffic jam by allowing smooth flow of vehicles; road crashes are reduced if not completely curbed to the barest minimum, where it is constructed.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, with some officials of NUDB and the contractor, at the site.As such, the aim of the fly over and underpass in Lafia, is to ease the flow of traffic along the Lafia-Makurdi federal highway, that spanned across the length and breath of the state capital.
The total amount of the multimillion billion naira project is yet to be made public, but it is estimated to gulp billions of naira.
The project, when completed, will be the first flyover and underpass in the state capital and will serve as one of the major landmark achievements of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
The contract whose life span is also yet to be ascertained, is handled by a reputable civil engineering construction company, Triacta Nigeria Limited, who constructed most of the street roads in Lafia and other local government headquarters.
Governor Sule, while explaining the rational behind the construction of flyover and underpass in Lafia, said it was aimed at giving the state capital a face-lift.
“We are going to build around the Emir’s Palace Roundabout an underpass. Today, because we are comfortable, we are not doing an underpass only, we are doing the underpass now at the junction of Total Filling Station and by the time we get to the roundabout, we are building a flyover,” he stated.
Governor Sule, added that the projects would not only beautify Lafia, but also upgrade the status of the city to that of a modern state capital.
On his part, the managing director of Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB), Engr Mohammed Wada Yahaya, sounded similar to his principal, the governor, saying it is one of the legacy projects of the present administration.
Engr. Wada, contended that when viewed against the daily growing population of the state especially Lafia, the state capital and the need to reduce accidents occasioned by enormous traffic congestions, nothing can be more succinct than a flyover at such a busy and accident-prone total junction and Lafia neigbourhood market roundabout.
The NUDB’s MD, disclosed that the 1 kilometre project comprising of fly over and under pass, starts from Zenith Bank on Jos road and terminate around former NITEL office, along Makurdi road, all in Lafia.
In my opinion, the above two flash points (total and emirs palace round about), where the projects are cited, unarguably qualifies to be described as the nerve centres of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
With alternative routes already provided for motorists passing through Lafia, the situation in the interim seems to be a bit hard to contend with, although not unexpected in the alternative routes.
Of course, businesses and other routine activities along total, Kongo Plaza, Lafia parade ground, Central Police Station, Post Office, On the Move garage and others, have been largely affected; this should be taken in good faith with the belief that it is a temporary situation that would soon blow away.
It’s true with every venture that no pain, no gain, but the gains accruable to residents and non-residents alike after the completion of the project are best experienced than imagined. There is no development without pains.
Whilst the pains of the waiting period of this laudable project might be excruciating, the need for support, cooperation and total understanding of the people of the state cannot be over-emphasised in this case.
For those criticising Governor Sule, for constructing a fly over and under pass in Lafia, you are entitled to your opinions, but bear in mind that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Also bear in mind that whatever attract critisims, also attract praises.
Governor Sule, in my view is writing his name with a golden pen by creating great things in Nasarawa State, that will stand the test of time.
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