Balanga Residents Reject Claims Of Road Neglect In Gombe
Residents of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State have rejected claims that the area has been neglected in the implementation of the state government’s 1,100-kilometre road network initiative.
A Gombe-based social commentator, Hon. Aminu Turaki, stated this on Thursday while reacting to comments attributed to Abuja-based politician, IG Wala, concerning the road projects of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Turaki urged critics of the administration to assess government projects based on verifiable facts and evidence rather than selective figures.
He said residents of Balanga were in the best position to evaluate the impact of the road projects, having directly witnessed and used the infrastructure.
“Balanga LGA cannot honestly be presented as a victim of road neglect under Danmajen Gombe,” he said.
According to him, major road interventions in the area include the Talasse–Dong–Junge–Reme–Degri, Bambam–Kutare–Mwona and Billiri–Dogon Ruwa–Bakassi–Gelengu corridors.
He said the projects had improved connectivity and facilitated the movement of farmers, traders and residents across several communities.
Turaki also faulted the use of cumulative budget allocations to assess the implementation of the 1,100-kilometre road initiative, noting that such figures could include funding for several other government programmes and infrastructure projects.
He said scrutiny should instead focus on verifiable indicators such as kilometres of roads completed, projects under construction and roads still required by communities.
The social commentator, however, acknowledged that the state government should be held accountable for projects that were abandoned, delayed or poorly executed.
“No administration is perfect, and Danmajen Gombe should equally be held accountable where projects are abandoned, delayed or poorly executed. But fairness demands that we also acknowledge achievements that are visible in our communities,” he said.
Turaki maintained that recognising the administration’s achievements did not amount to sycophancy, but was necessary for fairness and objectivity in public discourse.
He urged political actors and commentators to distinguish between legitimate scrutiny and partisan criticism, stressing that infrastructure projects should be assessed based on their actual impact on residents.
He added that communities including Talasse, Dong, Junge, Reme, Degri, Bambam, Kutare, Mwona, Dogon Ruwa, Bakassi and Gelengu could attest to the impact of the road projects.
Turaki urged critics to continue scrutinising the government where necessary but cautioned against disregarding infrastructure projects that, according to him, were already benefiting communities across Balanga.
