Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has commended the Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku for developing the state.
He stated this while commissioning the 22Km dual carriage road, from NYSC camp to Kpantinapu.
He praised the governor for the initiative towards executing the project. He also appreciated the government and the people of Taraba for the warm reception and the opportunity to commission the project. Jonathan commended the quality of the project.
“I want to commend the contractors and Governor Ishaku for the quality of work.
“This is a project that will open up Jalingo to attract more investments.
“I commend the Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku and the good people of Taraba State on the completion of the first phase of the 22 Km Dual Carriage Way meant to improve transportation and the economic well-being of the people.”
In his speech, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku described the occasion as special day in the life of his administration from May 2015 to date as the Executive Governor of Taraba State.
“My Administration’s development plan encapsulated in the RESCUE MISSION BLUEPRINT has delivered the dividend of democracy to the people of Taraba State from socio-economic backwardness through the massive provision of basic human infrastructure with road development as the pivot.
” I wish to also inform you that my administration funded all the road projects inherited from the previous administrations and embarked on other new ones.
“Among the new ones is the 22 Km Dual Carriageway in Jalingo which is section 1, 18 km we are commissioning today.
He said that the project was awarded by this administration in December 2019 for a Contract Period of 18th months to Messrs Craneburg Construction Company Ltd of Lagos. 
He added that in 2020, soon after the contract was awarded the Covid-19 Pandemic set in.
“This in all facets affected the world economy with the attendant devaluation of our currency and dramatic increase in prices of petroleum products which in turn led to an unprecedented hike in the prices of construction materials.
According to him, the road which was a single dual carriageway with a flyover at the roadblock, now have a second bridge at Nukkai river, six (6) number Pedestrian bridges/laybys and sidewalks.
“This has given the State capital a facelift befitting of a State capital. We are optimistic that more road projects will soon be commissioned before the end of my administration in May 2023.
“This dual carriageway and all its features is the climax of all the road projects executed by this administration; many of which were completed and commissioned, while some are still ongoing.
“We, despite all odds awarded Road contracts across all the geopolitical zones of the state.
He mentioned some of the roads embark upon by his administration to include:
Pamanga-Dakka Road, Mararraba-Baissa-Abong Road, Yerima-Gassol Road, and Wukari-Tsokundi Road, Lacheke-Pantisawa Road and Jalingo-Kona Road. Others are Takum-Katsina Ala Road, Magami Road Network in Jalingo and Takum Township Road Rehabilitation.
“It is on record that Taraba State is third least on the table of the 36 states in terms of borrowing to fund infrastructures.
He said that the project is been constructed to ease vehicular movement and for the safety of the residents of the state capital.
“It is a project that has gulped a lot of resources; therefore, it is incumbent on all to protect the road from misuse and vandalism.
” May I invite His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, Former President and Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces of Nigeria to kindly commission the 22 Kilometers Dual Carriageway from NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp along Wukari road to Pantinapu City Gate along Yola Road with Pedestrian walkways, a Bridge across River Nukkai, a Flyover and 6 number Pedestrian Bridges in Jalingo.
He thanked the Former President for the visit and encouragement.
On the choice of former President Jonathan to do the commissioning of the project, Ishaku said:
“Former President Jonathan gave me the opportunity to serve as a Minister in three Ministries, which include, Niger Delta, Environment and Power, where I got a lot of experiences.”
Speaking the prevailing peace in the state, Ishaku explained that, it was as a result of the creation of more Chiefdoms.
The former president also laid a foundation for the construction of new trailer park in the state capital.
However, SUMMIT POST observed that the flyover has been overtaken by traders and commercial transport operators who set up illegal parks around it.
Traders have turned Jalingo flyover, walkways to trading area the Road Block area of Jalingo, where the flyover is located, is one of the busiest locations in the metropolis.
Mohammed Inusa, a traders who spoke to SUMMIT POST, said “he was unhappy with how the place is littered with waste.
“Government is not doing anything to help by providing waste disposables, so there is nothing we can do.”
On his part, former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Jonah Kataps, described Jalingo as the dirtiest state capital in Nigeria.
He cited road block as an example to express his displeasure over the horrible sanitation of the state capital.
“The just commissioned Taraba flyover littered with refuse.” He criticised the government for not making any effort to keep the city clean.
“Despite the strategic location of the road block being on a major highway, it remains the dirtiest location in the city, and the government is not making any effort to change the ugly scenario.”
He said the ugly site was exposing residents of the area, traders and passers-by to possible epidemics and other environmental hazards.
He noted that, in most areas, the drainage system had been blocked by waste, and the gutters ooze a pungent stench.