Residents of Ga’anda–Fotta and the wider Gombi axis in Adamawa State have appealed to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to urgently address the decade-long neglect of the Gombi–Ga’anda–Fotta Road, which they described as a failed project despite consuming billions of naira.
The 36-kilometre highway, which includes three major bridges, was first awarded in December 2009 during the administration of former Governor Murtala Nyako to A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria Limited at a contract sum of ₦4.6 billion. The project was expected to be completed within two years.
However, despite records showing that nearly ₦3.9 billion—about 80% of the contract sum—had been released, the project remains uncompleted and has deteriorated into what residents now describe as a death trap.
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According to Sahara Reporters, contractors initially blamed the delays on insecurity following Boko Haram insurgent attacks in the area in 2014. But insiders told SaharaReporters that the company allegedly slowed down the project deliberately to miss deadlines and later sought contract variations. They described this as a common tactic used by politically connected contractors to inflate costs and exploit public resources.
In 2022, the Adamawa State Executive Council terminated the contract, citing non-performance. Yet, more than a decade after the release of substantial funds, the road remains in disrepair, cutting off several communities, hindering trade, and posing risks to road users.
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Kadams Birgamus Gangrang condemned the abandonment of the project and the waste of public funds.
“Billions were spent, but our people remain trapped in neglect,” he lamented.
“This road is the lifeline of farmers, traders, students, and patients. Governor Fintiri must re-award the contract to a competent firm and ensure strict oversight so that the money finally translates into real development,” Gangrang added.
Residents described the Gombi–Ga’anda–Fotta Road saga as a glaring case of contract failure and mismanagement. They lamented that a project originally intended to improve rural livelihoods had instead become a conduit for siphoning public funds, leaving communities isolated and underdeveloped.
