By Tom Garba,Yola


Former Nigeria Customs Services Comptroller General (CG) who is an indigene of Adamawa State, Hamman Bello Ahmed Kojoli, OFR, said he read through a publication that Adamawa State Government is awarding a contract worth billions of naira for the construction of Flyovers in Yola metropolis, the state capital,this according to him is needless as the state does not have congestion that warrants such magnificent projects.

Bello in an effort to proffer solution asked myriads questions whether the Flyovers Bridges are the priorities of the people in the state: "Do we have congestions on our roads that warrant the construction of Flyovers?

He said Adamawa State today cannot stand on its own economically without the monthly Federal allocation and the state needs only investment that will internally generate revenues that are needed to build the Flyovers rather than borrowing to build the Flyovers.

The elder statesman advised that the Government should embark on investment in Agriculture because Adamawa has massive land, enough rainfall and a large volume of water in the Benue valley for Irrigation.

Ahmed said instead of the needles flyovers the human resources is there in the state and government should construct a bride along the Chuchi valley to boost the irrigation farming systems that will also connect Jimeta and Yola towns to enhance the commercial activities of the State.

"The Natural Parda Lake should be dredged for Irrigation and fisheries. The Kiri Dam is also there for Irrigation and Hydro-electricity generation. The Jada Dam contract should be revisited and concluded for Irrigation and Hydro-electricity supply. The Mubi, Ngurore and Ganye Cattle markets should be expanded and upgraded to Free Zone Cattle markets. Adamawa State should be opened to trade and commerce. The Mubi - Sahuda - Marwa, the Jabbi Lamba - Bell - Garwa, Yola - Fufore - Gurin - Tarawa in the Cameroons and Ganye - Tongo - Koncha roads should be rehabilitated to open up Adamawa State for trade and commercial activities." Ahmad advised

The former CG further called on Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri the three Senators, House of Reps members representing the state in the National Assembly including the State Assembly members to continuously plead with the Federal Government for the dredging of River Benue from Lokoja through Makurdi to Yola and Garwa in the Cameroons.

"Construction of Railway Line from Lokoja through Wukari, Jalingo, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta, Mubi and finally link up with the Maiduguri Rail Line. Revisiting the PTF Chochi Irrigation Project. Rehabilitation of Pela - Maiha - Mubi, Lifiya - Gewana, Tola Junction - Binyeri and Kojoli - Jada - Mbulo - Yebbi - Ganye Roads. These roads were built by the late Governor Abubakar Barde regime of Gongola State. Ever since no rehabilitation work was carried out on these roads.

" Establishment of Rice Mills and Meat Factories in the 3 Senatorial Zones of the State for the processing, packaging and exporting of the abundant Paddy Rice and Meat that the State is blessed with rather than allowing Exportation of the raw materials. With this in place, I believe Adamawa State will stand on its feet financially rather than depending on monthly Federal allocation. Then the profits derived from these projects could be used to build the Flyover." He said

Seems this advice was not heeded. They've already blocked the police roundabout and Jimeta market round, in preparation to start construction.

The flyovers are really unnecessary, there isn't much of a traffic nor congestion in the city.