By Nazir Musa
Residents of Tirwun Ward in Bauchi State have appealed for urgent government intervention to address the worsening state of their roads, which they say has severely impacted daily life, safety, and local commerce.
The community, known for its peaceful atmosphere and longstanding support for government initiatives, has repeatedly requested road improvements, yet their pleas have gone unheeded.
Abubakar Shehu Tirwun, a resident and motorist, voiced his frustrations with the road’s current condition. “The road is in a critical state and needs urgent intervention,” he said. “A short 5- to 10-minute drive from the village head’s palace to the Tirwun market now takes 20 to 30 minutes because of the numerous potholes.”
Shehu added that the poor road conditions have even led to tragic incidents, including miscarriages for pregnant women due to the rough terrain.
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According to him, the main road also serves neighboring communities like Rudu-Gungu, Karkashiya, and Madan-Dutsen Kura, where residents are primarily farmers and livestock producers.
Buba Amadu of Rudu-Gungu corroborated on the challenge, saying, “We’re suffering. This road is our main access, and there is no alternative.”
Local business owners are equally affected. Malam Musa Dan Zaria, who owns a provision store, explained, “I often bring goods from the Central Market, but it’s challenging to get them to my store because the last two kilometers through Tirwun are nearly impassable. Perishable goods can get damaged during the journey.”
He urged the government and any willing individuals to help ease the community’s hardship.
To mitigate the challenges, Tirwun residents have organized several community service days to repair the road themselves.
Comrade Abubakar Bayero, chairman of the road maintenance committee, said these efforts are driven by necessity. “We can’t sit idle and wait for the government. We may not have the resources to fully reconstruct the road, but we do what we can to reduce the discomfort,” Bayero said.
He noted that the lack of proper drainage has worsened the situation, especially during the rainy season, when erosion forms deep potholes. “We’re planning another community effort this year and hope the government or philanthropists will assist us,” Bayero added.
Speaking on the issue to Xchange Hama Media, Hon. Sa’idu Yusuf Ahmad, the member representing Zungur, Galambi, and Miri in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, acknowledged the community’s concerns. “The state of Tirwun’s road has been a top priority, and it’s something I think about constantly,” he said, noting that he even provided sand to help fill potholes during a recent community-led repair effort.
He assured the community that the road would be reconstructed before the end of Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration. “The chairman of Bauchi Local Government and I are committed to following the necessary protocols to ensure this issue is resolved,” Ahmad affirmed.
The people of Tirwun are hopeful that the government will soon address their needs. With proper road infrastructure, they believe they can boost economic activity, reduce accidents, and improve the quality of life for residents.
