The Gombe State Government, under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has stepped up efforts to prevent road accidents and safeguard lives and property across the state.
This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA), Alhaji Bappayo Samanja Maudo during a special inspection exercise at New Mile 3.
Addressing newsmen, Maudo explained that the government had earlier installed road barriers to slow traffic and restrict heavy trucks from accessing the metropolitan area.
Unfortunately, he lamented, some miscreants and their collaborators had illegally removed the barriers installed to prevent indiscriminate parking and access through the Southern Bypass.
“To further curb accidents and other traffic-related dangers, the government has restored the illegally removed heavy-speed blocks. We also plan to install additional speed breakers at strategic locations, particularly in congested areas and critical junctions, to control over-speeding,” Maudo stated.
He emphasized that these actions are part of the government’s strategy to address recurring road accidents that have resulted in the loss of lives and property across the state.
Maudo reiterated that the New Mile 3 area forms part of the state’s Special Development Zone, stressing that trailers and heavy-duty trucks are prohibited from parking along roadsides.
He urged truck drivers to utilize designated facilities such as the Trailer Park in Tumfure and the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Park, both of which are fully equipped to accommodate heavy vehicles.
During the inspection of ongoing road construction in Tumfure, GOSUPDA discovered that some individuals had encroached on public right-of-ways and setbacks, areas previously compensated for and reserved for public infrastructure, including water pipelines and streetlights.
The encroached structures were promptly demolished, while others were issued removal notices.
Maudo assured that GOSUPDA is working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that safety regulations, development guidelines, and environmental protection measures are fully observed.
He stressed that protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the top priority of the Inuwa Yahaya administration, and reaffirmed the government’s unflinching commitment to creating a safe, orderly, and sustainable urban environment.
