Senator Sumaila Mourns Victims Of Wudil Accident

The Senator representing Kano South, Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila has sympathised with families of the 11 persons who lost their lives in an auto crash along Kano-Maiduguri federal Highway on Friday.

In a statement he personally signed, Senator Sumaila expresses grief over the demise of the 11 people, regretting that Kano-Maiduguri road has remained a death trap to many road users.

According to him the over 550 kilometre dualization project was awarded by the Federal Government at the end of the second tenure of President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Senator Sumaila says the road is of high importance to the Nigerian economy as it internationally linked Nigeria with Chad republic, Cameroon, Niger republic and Central Africa, thereby boosting businesses among the affected countries.

He explains that the road which also connects Kano with Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Borno states, is playing a greater role in the economic activities of the states.

Senator Sumaila, however, laments that despite its importance, the road has claimed several lives due to non-completion of the project.

According to the lawmaker for almost 17 years since the award of the project, a portion of the road particularly from Wudil to Gaya has not been completed.

He says it is regrettable that although over 50 kilometers of this portion of the road have been completed, however, a distance of less than 30 kilometers of the portion has not been completed, thereby, causing accidents.

Sumaila, regretted that the non-completion of the project has compelled traders from within Nigeria and the neighbouring countries to divert their businesses to other states other than Kano.

“Apart from cases of accident, armed robbery has been taking place on this road for several years. I have personally complained to the relevant authorities, yet, the problem persist,” he said.

“It is very sad that the Federal ministry of works and housing and the contractor handling the project have failed to complete this project despite allocation of huge amount of money in the budget. I will continue to pursue for the completion of this road.”

Senator Sumaila lamented that “This is the reason why we are fighting for fairness in the budgetary allocations to the six geopolitical zones, but some people for their selfish interests are kicking against our moves”.

James Itodo, Edited By Grace Namiji