Yola Residents Decry Rising Spate Of Accidents At Newly Constructed Flyover

Parents, teachers and traders in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State have decried the rising spate of accidents at the newly constructed total junction flyover in Jimeta.

The new flyover is located in a dense neighborhood of Jimeta and shares borders with one of the biggest government owned schools in the state, the capital school as well as the Jimeta ultra modern market.

The state government in consideration of the location, carried out contract variation with the citing of two pedestrian bridges near the capital school and Jimeta ultra modern market respectively to ensure safety of pedestrians.

But several months after the flyover was commissioned by governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the contract for the construction of the two pedestrian bridges could not come to fruition which led to many road users especially school children knocked down by cars.

Lamenting the rate at which accidents occur at the flyover, the head teacher of Capital Nursery School, Malam Isa Labaran said, that the pedestrian bridge was under construction for more than four months which makes it difficult for pupils to cross the road.

According to him, as a result, three pupils and a teacher were knocked down by cars at different times.

He added that the Capital School has nursery/primary, junior and senior secondary sections with over 6,000 pupils coming on daily basis.

“We are appealing to the state government to please direct the contractor to complete the pedestrian crossing because three pupils and a teacher have been knocked down by vehicles,” he said.

Alhaji Abubakar Musa, a parent explained that non completion of the project exposed their children to danger and also makes the parents late for work.

He said due to the nature of the road they had to make sure their children get to school before they go to their places of work.

Musa called for immediate completion of the bridge to ensure the safety of people especially schoolchildren.

Malam Ibrahim Maina, spokesperson of the business community in the area also appealed for the speedy completion of the bridge.

According to him, traders have been at the short end of the bargain since the construction of the flyover as they have been losing revenue due to the closure of one of the market’s gate.

“We want government to also open small door for customers to have access to the market and their shops.

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“I believe this will improve the economy of the state and create employment opportunities for the youth,” he appealed.

When contacted, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, urged the residents to be patient as the ministry understand that it is genuine concern.

He said the state government will mount pressure on Triacta, the company handling the job to expedite action and ensure timely completion of the project to secure lives and properties of residents.

Also, Mr Hassan Ghanem, Project Manager, Triacta Construction Company, handling the project said they will complete the project very soon.