Despite N5.2bn Expenditure On Road, Potholes Riddle Suleja-Maddala Road

Despite a N5.2 billion expenditure by the Niger State authorities on Suleja township roads, the Suleja-Maddala highway stays in a nasty state, Investigations by THE WHISTLER Newspaper has proven.

A evaluate of the state’s full yr audited monetary assertion for 2025 fiscal yr exhibits {that a} sum of N5.2 billion was spent on Suleja township roads to the stretch of 50km in 2025.

The state additionally budgeted one other N12 billion for a similar challenge in 2026, that is primarily based on a evaluate of the total yr authorized funds, the precise quantity spent thus far for the 2026 fiscal yr  might not be ascertained as of the time of submitting this report as a result of absence of information.

Visits to completely different places across the Madalla-Suleja highway which connects the State to the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and serves as a border  between the capital territory and Niger exhibits the poor state of the highway.

As of the time of submitting this report, the highway is riddled with potholes, main cuts, leaving motorists manoeuvring their method to keep away from the  holes.

Residents and enterprise house owners within the space who spoke to THE WHISTLERnewspaper famous that when the federal government began the challenge, they have been hopeful that they might be relievedfrom pains of poor situation of the highway however about two years after, the scenario seems to not have met expectations.

“This road is major because people coming from Abuja, those going to the Suleja market, those trying to connect adjoining states use it, however it’s condition leaves us with much to worry,” a motorist informed THE WHISTLER newspaper.

A enterprise proprietor who requested to not be named for concern of victimisation informed this newspaper that the situation of the highway has made transportation riskier.

“When you go to the market to buy goods, you will be scared because in the process of trying to avoid potholes, the tricycle or motorbike drivers sometimes almost hit themselves. If you have a small child, your fear increases,” the respondent informed THE WHISTLER  newspaper.

It was gathered throughout this report that as a result of situation of the highway particularly on the Madalla junction which results in Suleja, motorists now keep away from the situation, preferring as a substitute to cross by way of residential streets.

“We are at risk of repairing our vehicles time to time with the condition of the road, so we need to find an alternative,” a motorist defined to THE WHISTLER when requested about why they use different routes.

During this investigation, no less than two damaged down autos have been seen in the midst of the highway ready for repairs.

Investigation exhibits that the State authorities did dig gutters on the highway in the course of the graduation of the challenge, it was gathered that the gutters dug and concrete added to those gutters stay the solely seen work completed on the stretch of the highway.

Residents informed this newspaper that when the highway challenge commenced, some buildings have been demolished as the federal government famous that they encroached on the highway and went past authorized measurements.

“When the government demolished the buildings, we thought it would be fast paced because shops were pulled down severally by the government but up till now, it’s only the gutters that can be seen,” a resident informed THE WHISTLER.

Efforts to get feedback from Ibrahim Bologi, the spokesperson to governor Umar Bago proved abortive as he didn’t reply to messages and calls to his telephone line as of the time of submitting this report.

Earlier, a evaluate of the Niger State 2025 audited monetary assertion by THE WHISTLER newspaper exhibits   that it spent N8.8 billion on 82 Changan autos for the fiscal yr. This improvement comes  even as solely N5.8 billion was authorized for the aim of the acquisition. Available information present that the state authorities spent a sum of N3 billion outdoors the authorized quantity for the acquisition of the autos.