In a detailed investigation republished by SaharaReporters, the story unearthed how millions of naira was wasted on emergency repairs and rehabilitation of the highway.
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has taken over the failed sections of the Bauchi-Gombe road which were hitherto abandoned as exposed in a recent story by WikkiTimes.
In a detailed investigation republished by SaharaReporters, the story unearthed how millions of naira was wasted on emergency repairs and rehabilitation of the highway.
The funds were released by the ministry of works to 10 different companies, including FERMA between 2017 and 2021. However, the road, despite the funds released, had remained a nightmare to commuters and the hosting communities.
Some of the companies involved in the rehabilitation and emergency repairs of the road were not able to justify the work done on the highway while some were not traceable. Also, the ministry declined to comment on the shoddy execution of the project.
Twelve days after the story was published, FERMA took over the work and started filling the failed section of the road, WikkiTimes can report.
Beyond, filling the failed section, locals who ply the road on a daily basis and the residents narrated that only standard bridges, not culverts, could save the road from continuous damage. Of recent, two major culverts linking Bauchi and Gombe States collapsed more than two times. They still remain in shambles.