Bauchi Residents Excited as Governor Bala Mohammed Delivers Boi–Tapshin Road Project

From Paul Orude Bauchi 

Residents of Boi, Tapshin, and surrounding communities in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State have expressed joy and relief over the completion of the 11-kilometre Boi–Tapshin road, a project they described as life-saving.

For years, the communities were cut off during the rainy season as floods washed away roads and bridges, often leading to loss of lives. 

Many recalled painful experiences of being stranded for days and even losing loved ones to flood-related incidents.

“We went through hell especially during the rainy season because of lack of an access road,” said Istifanus Barde, a resident of Tapshin, during a media tour of projects executed by Governor Bala Mohammed.

The tour is facilitated by the ministry of Information and Communication led by Commissioner Usman Shehu Usman with support from the office of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity under the leadership of Muktar Gidado 

“I am really happy. We are grateful for what this government did for us. This river claimed many lives. All past administrations did not remember us. There was a time a corpse spent two days because people could not cross the road due to flooding.”

Similarly, Astra Joy, a resident of Jolom community .near Boi, said she could hardly believe the road was now a reality.

“We are really happy with the construction of this road. We suffered a lot before it came. During the rainy season, we lost many lives because the floods washed them away,” she said.

The road, which was awarded under the state’s Accelerated Road Project initiative, was completed with modern specifications, including a five-span bridge, box and ring culverts, and a 10.3-metre-wide carriageway with shoulders.

Engineer Ado Shehu, Deputy Director (Civil) and Principal Resident Engineer in the Ministry of Works and Transport, who supervised the project, confirmed that the road had been fully delivered according to contract specifications.

“The road has been completed in all aspects of the contract. It has a lifespan of 15 years and links several settlements before terminating at Tapshin, which borders Plateau State. It is a critical route for trade and movement in this region,” he said.

The project, already handed over after a 12-month maintenance period by the contractor, is expected to boost economic activities and improve safety for the communities.

Residents say beyond easing transportation, the road has restored hope and dignity to their communities long neglected by successive administration.