Residents of Dutse in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, have commended the ongoing road rehabilitation, saying the completed section has eased movement and boosted business activities.

The residents spoke in separate interviews on Saturday in Abuja.

They, however, appealed to the Bwari Area Council and the contractor to hasten work on the remaining portion to address flooding, water shortage and other challenges.

The project is being executed by the Bwari Area Council under its Chairman, Joshua Ishaku.

The first phase, covering about 500 metres, has been completed and inaugurated as part of activities marking his 100 days in office.

A car owner residing along the completed section, Jackson Babatunde, said the rehabilitation had eased movement.

“Before, when it rained, I did not use my car because the road was always bad, flooded and muddy. I could not drive because the vehicle would get damaged.

“Now I can use my car anytime. It has reduced the cost of repairs and maintenance,” he said.

Another resident, John Ogochukwu, who sells cosmetics and other items along the stretch, said the improved road had positively impacted his business.

“Before, we suffered from dust, but now that this part is fixed, movement is easy. More customers now come to my shop because the road is good,” he said.

A Creative Director of Lapur Shoe Ventures, Alice Machu, appealed for speedy completion of the remaining sections.

Mrs Machu said the extension and roof in front of her shop were removed to allow for road and drainage construction, but workers had not returned to the site for more than a month.

“They removed the extension in front of my shop because they wanted to work on the road and drainage. Since then, we have not seen them continue the work.

“Whenever it rains, water enters my shop and I cannot work comfortably. The sun also enters because the covering has been removed. It has really affected my business,” she said.

A resident, Uju Nwankwo, said the project was a welcome development but the delay had brought hardship.

“Because of the disconnected pipes during construction, there is no water in my house. I have to buy water and send my children to fetch water from far places because they are yet to fix the pipes.

“Heaps of soil from the gutter were also left on the road and when it rains, the area becomes flooded,” she said.

Another resident, Ahmed Fad, said the unfinished portion had affected motorists.

“When it rains, the road becomes muddy and vehicles cannot pass. My vehicle was damaged due to flooding and I had to spend money to repair and wash it,” he said.

A commercial motorcyclist, Ibrahim Salisu, said patronage had dropped because residents avoided the road during rainfall.

“Some people are afraid of using bikes on this road when it rains. They prefer to trek. Because of that, business has become slow,” he said.

A community leader, Jacob Onah, said the project had not been abandoned but was being executed in phases.

“The road is being done in phases. What people are seeing now is only the first phase of 500 metres. The next phase of about 400 metres will commence soon. It is a five-phase plan. Damaged water pipes will be repaired as work progresses,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ishaku had earlier promised that his administration would ensure the completion of ongoing projects.

He said he would engage other tiers of government to overcome obstacles and provide additional support where necessary.

Mr Ishaku made the promise while highlighting some of his administration’s achievements during the commemoration of his 100 days in office in Bwari.

He commended the FCT Administration, led by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, for interventions in roads, water, education and other critical infrastructure in the council.

He cited the Bwari Satellite Town Water Project and interventions along the Bwari-Kubwa corridor as examples of collaboration between the FCT Administration and the Area Council.

He added that more infrastructural development was underway to improve the livelihoods of residents.

(NAN)