GOMBE – The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (ANGO) in Gombe State has commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for it’s intervention on three critically dilapidated spots on Gombe-Bauchi road.

The spots had at different times in the last four years usually cuts off commuters from plying the road for several days especially during rainy seasons, making journey on the road extremely difficult.

Before the NEDC intervention, commuters on the ever busy road which links the Northeast region with other parts of the country from the southern axis had to divert to longer routes before connecting with their journeys.

However, during an on the spot visit to the three spots by ANGO, they expressed satisfaction with the way the NEDC is handling the works on the spots which has started bringing relief to travelers and communities within the areas.

Speaking with our correspondent during the visit, Yahaya Mohammed Kumo, Assistant Secretary of ANGO said, they decided to track the project knowing well it’s importance and how the road has affected travellers, business and farming activities of the people.

He said, from their assessment, the work is commendable since Kalajanga bridge is over 70 per cent completed and motorist have started using the bridge while work has started at Bara spot where there is plan to construct a five span 20 metre beam bridge.

During the visit, it was discovered that construction workers were making way for a diversion road to allow proper construction of the bridge in Bara.

ANGO also promised to undertake another visit to the sites after it’s assessment of the third and most dilapidated spot, Tashan Turmi, which work is yet to commence.

Yahaya Mohammed commended the Governors of Bauchi and Gombe States whose action moved the NEDC into intervening in the project. He also called for continuous supervision of the construction by Government officials to ensure high quality and durable job.

Also during the visit, Yahaya called for intervention of the NEDC to the over twenty farming communities in Kalajanga who had for a long time been affected by the stream and the washed out bridge.

He appealed for strengthening of the farmers with farm inputs to ensure continuous farming activities throughout the year.

The community leader in Kalajanga, Danazumi Umaru, decried the destruction of farms during the bridge construction with no compensation made to them.

While thanking both State Governments and the NEDC for the bridge construction, the community leader called for support in terms of strengthening the farming activities of over 2,000 farmers who farm on the shores of the river.

Farming activities take place throughout the year along the river with rice and sugar cane as the most products cultivated.