Former Deputy Speaker Writes Umahi Over Stalled N95bn Bali-Serti-Gembu Road

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Babangida Nguroje, has written to the minister of works and housing, Engineer Dave Umahi, on the stalled Bali-Serti-Gembu Road reconstruction and expressed concerns that the current situation has caused an untold hardship on the people and is affecting economic activities in the area.

In a letter dated May 27, 2025, addressed to the minister and entitled” Letter of Appeal,” the former Deputy Speaker stated that “the contract was awarded to SCC Nigeria Limited on 11th July, 2018, with an agreement signed on 18 May,2022, which was valued at ninety-five billion, two hundred and thirty-two million, four hundred and seventy-five thousands, ten naira, sixty-two kobo has being stalled.”

He expressed concerns on behalf of the community that the twenty-four-month completion period for the 235-kilometre road, with 90.2 kilometres from Bali to Serti designated for rehabilitation and 144.9 kilometres from Serti to Gembu, with an expected completion date of 28 Nah, 2024, has become impossible and has since elapsed due to the construction company’s inability to proceed.

He maintained that the work progress on the reconstruction stands at 19.5 per cent, concerning 18.8 kilometres of binder course and 11.5 kilometres of wearing course.

In the letter, he stressed that,” you will recall your Excellency, that the Bali-Serti-Gembu Road, when completed, has the potential of rebooting the economic prosperity of the area and unlocking its hidden potentials in no small measure. Therefore, the excitement that had earlier greeted this road construction was beyond words.

“However, the inability of the construction company to proceed with the completion of this project, especially the Maisanari-Nguroje-Gembu Road, has become a nightmare for the people, especially now that the rains are already here.

“Upon our inquiries into why the contract was stalled, the company in charge of the road construction confirmed to the community that although it has been receiving steady payments from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), it has been faced with challenges of contract variations.”

He called on the minister to intervene in a manner that would return the contractors to the site, emphasising the importance and strategic nature of the road that links other neighbouring countries.