Kaduna was the capital of the defunct Northern region, now 19 northern states. Afaka, a suburb of Kaduna, Kaduna state, was one of the largest wards among the 12 wards in Igabi local government area.
Mando community was in Afaka ward with federal government’s establishments like Kaduna Airport, Nigerian Defence Academic (NDA), Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Eye Centre, Ahmadu Bello University agriculture campus, Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and School of Forestry, among others.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, covering the North-west zone of Nigeria and Niger Republic, is also located at Afaka. Unfortunately, despite this massive government’s presence, there is no single access road in the area despite efforts to this effect.
The lack of access road has affected many activities resulting to the closure of many social events in the area; my daughter’s wedding also experienced the same fate, compelling me to reschedule the event within 24 hours, to enable in-laws, families and friends to attend as they couldn’t access the road because of its bad nature. I had to reschedule it to Hajj Camp, along the federal road leading to Birnin Gwari, Jabba, Ilorin, Lagos and Kaduna Airport.
Because of the high calibre of people living in the area and boosting of its economy, Afaka – Mando deserves access road – the ultra-modern Lagos park opposite NAF, as well many military formations.
The federal government should utilise part of the money realised from the removal of fuel subsidy to rehabilitate and construct roads across the country, just like the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) did during the Sani Abacha regime. That was the era Nigerians felt the positive impact of fuel subsidy removal, even though it was a partial removal.
Most politicians in Kaduna state use Afaka ward to win elections but abandon the area afterwards. Since the return to democracy in 1999, no government has rehabilitated any road in the area.
I, therefore, emplore the Tinubu administration to declare a state of emergency on roads nationwide; each state and local government must rehabilitate or construct, at least, one road every year. Please, Mando is in dire need of access roads. Governor Uba Sani, kindly come to our aid and provide access road to the community to boost business activities in the area, which will improve the revenue of the state government.
Suleiman Raji Saidu,
Mando,, Kaduna state
