By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Allegations and Counter Allegations of sabotage between Kebbi State Government and Zuru Emirate on the factors responsible for the delay in the commencement of the reconstruction of Koko-Zuru road may soon be put to rest as Governor Nasir Idris, according to a resident Abdullahi Idris Zuru, has resolved to present the issue to President Bola Tinubu for intervention.
The 87 kilometers federal road project abandoned for over five years has generated serious controversy with the different parties involved resorting to blame game for the failure of the project in view of the unbearable hardship the abandonment is causing the benefiting communities.
He added that the apparent unpleasant feeling of the two parties involved in the reconstruction project was bitterly expressed at the grand final of the just concluded 2024 edition of Zuru Uhola Cultural Festival held at the weekend in Zuru, Kebbi State.
On assumption of office, Governor Nasir Idris has listed Koko-Zuru road among his priority projects and declared that he has the political will and financial capacity as a government to execute it within record time as soon as the federal government revokes the contract and hands it over to him.
At different forums, the governor has repeatedly requested for the support of the elders in Zuru Emirate to pressurise the federal government to revoke the contract stressing that substantial budgetary provision has been made in the state 2024 appropriation bill for immediate commencement of project.
However, individuals and groups have through social media platforms expressed reservations about both the federal and Kebbi state governments commitment to the project despite the destruction of socioeconomic wellbeing of the people being caused by the unfortunate situation.
At the final day of the festival, the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee and Ubanyakin Zuru, Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi, reechored what was believed to be the pains of the people of Zuru emirate who have been cut off completely due to its inaccessibility from all parts of the country, particularly the Koko-Zuru road.