I Suffered to be educated  — Governor Mohammed Recalls as he Inaugurates 108 Km Rural roads

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Sen.Bala Mohammed has narrated how the lack of accessible roads made his pursuit of education extremely difficult as a young boy. 

Mohammed shared his experience on Tuesday at Tashan Durumi during the inauguration of the 26.8km Mararaba Liman Katagum–Polchi Katsinawa road 

The  Phase l and Phase ll projects are being implemented by the state government in collaboration with the federal government, with support from the World Bank and the French Development Agency under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

Also inaugurated on Tuesday were the 4.91km Gadar Maiwa–Zakara road, the 25km Dagu–Ningi road, the 0.86km Nabordo–Gadan Doka–Jama’a road, the 36.65km Dott–Dado–Baraza road, and the 6.71km Mararraban Dajin–Dajin road in Bauchi South and Bauchi Central .

Earlier on Monday the governor also flagged  off construction of hundreds of kilometers of rural in some parts of Bauchi North and Bauchi Central in Gamawa.

He lamented that rural residents had suffered,  and continued to suffer, due to the absence of motorable roads across many parts of the state.

According to him, the new roads will open up rural communities, improve economic activities, and reduce the hardship faced by farmers and residents who struggle to transport their goods to markets or move sick animals for veterinary care.

“Our students cannot go to school during the rainy season, especially those in secondary school, just like it was for me,” he said.

 “I had to trek from Maina Maji and sometimes from Dindinma to Duguri on foot. 

“I know where the shoe pinches. Some of us suffered to be educated, and we will not allow young ones to suffer the way we did. That is why we are constructing these roads.”

Mohammed stressed that road connectivity is essential for development and pledged continuous investment in rural infrastructure. 

He also urged traditional rulers to support contractors and help safeguard ongoing road projects through vigilance and intelligence sharing.

The road inauguration came amid heightened insecurity in the country.

 On Monday, the governor ordered the temporary closure of all federal, state, and private schools following rising security concerns. 

Although Bauchi remains one of the relatively secure states in the North-East, Mohammed said such stability must be protected.

“I urge you to support contractors, remain vigilant, and provide intelligence for security and safety,” he appealed.

 “Anyone harbouring criminals or enabling insecurity will face the full weight of the law. Security is sacrosanct, which is what gives us the confidence to go to the farthest parts of the state and work.”

The governor noted that his administration, since 2019, has worked with stakeholders to place Bauchi on the path to becoming the leading economy in the North-East and one of the top ten in Nigeria.

 He said prudence, accountability, and reforms have helped attract investors and secure alternative funding.

“People ask where we get resources. The answer is simple: we trust in God, embrace leadership as a trust, close leakages, reform governance, and leverage our federal experience to secure alternative funding,” he stated. 

“That is why you see RAAMP working here even though we are in the opposition. Today, we are a leading state.”

Mohammed also acknowledged colleagues at the federal level for their support, saying their collaboration has enabled Bauchi to access multiple development opportunities, including ACReSAL and other national programmes.