A group of campaigners, who recently launched the #FixGembuRoad Campaign, has reiterated its call for urgent government intervention in the reconstruction of the Bali–Serti–Gembu road in Taraba State, Nigeria. The campaigners, led by Mr. Joel David Yaji and co-convener Hassan Alhaji Audu Mamnga, expressed frustration over the slow progress of the N95.2 billion road project, which was awarded to SCC Nigeria Limited under the Federal Government’s NNPC Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.
According to the campaign team, the road’s deplorable condition has resulted in a significant increase in travel time, with the 374-kilometer journey from Jalingo to Gembu now taking up to two days. This has had a devastating impact on the local economy, disrupting education and making healthcare services nearly inaccessible in the region. The campaign team emphasized that the road is a critical lifeline for the people of the Mambilla Plateau, connecting families, enabling business, and supporting education and healthcare.
The campaigners are calling for increased accountability and oversight from elected representatives and government officials, citing the need for urgent attention to the project. They have urged the senator representing Taraba Central to sponsor motions and engage Senate committees to ensure adequate budgetary attention and oversight for the road project. Similarly, they have called on the member representing Sardauna, Gashaka, and Kurmi Federal Constituency to raise the issue in the House of Representatives and liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works.
The campaign team has also highlighted the economic and developmental potential of the Mambilla Plateau, which is rich in tourism, agriculture, and cross-border trade opportunities. However, they argued that these opportunities cannot be realized without reliable road infrastructure. The Minister of Regional Development and Taraba’s representative in the Federal Executive Council has been urged to push for executive-level intervention to fast-track the project’s completion.
The #FixGembuRoad Campaign has brought attention to the plight of the people of the Mambilla Plateau, who are struggling to access basic services due to the poor state of the road. With the campaign gaining momentum, it remains to be seen whether the government will respond to the calls for urgent intervention and provide the necessary support to complete the project. The reconstruction of the Bali–Serti–Gembu road is critical to unlocking the economic potential of the region and improving the lives of its residents.
