MAJOR ROAD TO GEMBU, SARDAUNA LGA, CUT OFF, STRANDING MOTORISTS
The main road leading to Gembu, the headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area, has been rendered impassable due to severe flooding and mud, leaving motorists and passengers stranded for days, and in some cases, weeks. Persistent heavy rainfall has exacerbated the situation, turning the road into a quagmire and disrupting travel and commerce.
Efforts to address the crisis have been initiated by local authorities. The former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah enlisted the support of Alhaji Iya Maigari, a Gembu-based businessman who owns heavy-duty equipment to clear the mud and facilitate passage for vehicles. However, these efforts have been hampered by relentless torrential rains, rendering the intervention ineffective.
The Secretary to the State Government, Barr. G.T. Kataps also engaged a construction firm to intervene and restore access to the road. Despite the deployment of heavy-duty Caterpillar equipment, the firm faced significant challenges due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
In the meantime, some local residents have capitalized on the situation, offering to push smaller vehicles out of the mud for fees ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per vehicle. While this has provided temporary relief for some motorists, it has not resolved the broader issue.
In interviews with stranded drivers, many expressed frustration and urged authorities to take urgent action to address the crisis. “We’ve been stuck here for days. The government needs to do something fast to save us,” one driver lamented.
In a significant development, the Chairman of Sardauna Local Government, Hon. Mohammed Umar disclosed that the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, Barr. Umar Bangari has secured federal government approval for a construction firm to mobilize to the site immediately. This intervention is expected to commence imminently, raising hopes for a swift resolution.
As of the time of this report, long queues of vehicles remain stranded, with motorists awaiting urgent intervention to restore access to the vital road. Authorities are under increasing pressure to act decisively to alleviate the plight of those affected.
