By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
Senior stakeholders from Niger South have urged the federal government to expedite the rehabilitation of the Lapai-Agaie-Bida road to prevent further loss of lives due to its deteriorating condition.
Despite recent improvements on the Lambata-Lapai road, the poor state of the Lapai-Agaie-Bida section has continued to contribute to fatal accidents, causing significant concern among residents and road users.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, by the interim Coordinator of the Forum in Niger South Senior Stakeholders Forum, Dr. Mohammed Kudu Santuraki, emphasized the pressing need for action.
He cited a recent tragic accident on the Lapai-Agaie road, which claimed 13 lives, including three members of the same family.
“Alhaji Adamu Ndace lost his two wives and eldest daughter in a devastating accident on the Lapai-Agaie road, while another daughter is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. In total, about 13 lives were lost in that single incident,” Santuraki stated.
He reiterated that the persistent neglect of critical road infrastructure in the state continues to endanger lives and called on the government to prioritize road repairs.
“This tragedy highlights the urgency of addressing our road network challenges.
"I have previously raised concerns regarding the federal government’s budget allocation for road rehabilitation in Niger State.
"Lives are lost daily due to bad roads, and every life matters. Fixing our roads must be treated as an immediate priority,” he added.
The stakeholders’ appeal comes as part of ongoing efforts to draw attention to the dire condition of key highways in the region, urging authorities to take swift action to enhance road safety and prevent further tragedies.
