Traders in Kwaya Kusar, in Borno, have commended President Bola Tinubu over the N1.245 trillion Gombe-Biu Superhighway, urging speedy completion to boost trade and agricultural activities.
The traders commended the President in separate interviews with the news reporters on Tuesday in Kwaya Kusar.
They said completing the project would strengthen trade, agriculture and economic activities in communities connected by the road.
Alhaji Abdullahi Gidado, Secretary of Kwaya Kusar Grains Market, described the road as critical infrastructure for farmers and traders.
Gidado said grains and cattle from the zone were transported through the road to other parts of Nigeria, particularly southern states.
He said the road was therefore important to the government’s food security efforts and the movement of agricultural produce.
According to him, grains from the market are transported to other parts of the country weekly throughout the year.
Gidado said the poor condition of the road had contributed to increased transportation costs and higher grain prices.
“Gombe-Biu road is an important economic corridor as it connects farmers directly to southern markets,” he said.
He said more than 15,000 bags of assorted grains left Kwaya Kusar market weekly during the dry season.
“Now that farmers have started harvesting, more than 40,000 bags will be taken out from October,” he said.
Malam Ibrahim Gadam, another trader, described the road as an important project capable of stimulating economic growth for farmers.
Gadam commended the Federal Government and urged it to accelerate the dualisation of the road.
He said the road had deteriorated significantly after years of neglect by successive administrations.
“I am particularly happy about the road because it will benefit the poor more because we are the major beneficiaries,” he said.
Gadam said improved road infrastructure would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and other commodities to markets across Nigeria.
Alhaji Mamman Ali, Chairman, Kwaya Kusar International Cattle Market, described the road as the biggest challenge facing cattle traders.
Ali said the Federal Government’s intervention to dualise the road had provided relief to transporters using the 120-kilometre route.
“From here, we take cows to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Aba, Akwa Ibom, among other destinations,” he said.
He said between 210 and 350 cows were loaded from the market every Saturday, besides goats, sheep and rams.
Ali said the volume demonstrated the road’s importance to traders in Kwaya Kusar and consumers across the country.
He appealed to the Federal Government to ensure completion of the project, noting that previous administrations had awarded the road but abandoned it.