By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Residents of Taraba State have decried what they described as substandard drainage construction currently ongoing on several streets in Jalingo under the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas.
Speaking with our correspondent on Friday in Jalingo, a resident of Angwan-Kassa, Mr Henry Musa, expressed fears that the poor quality of work being carried out by the contractor could lead to flooding during the rainy season.
Similarly, Mr John Yohana of Roadblock and Mr Kefas Kaigama of Investment Quarters appealed to Governor Kefas to either revoke the contract or compel the contractor to ensure quality execution of the project.
The residents alleged that the contractor was using hollow, substandard cement blocks mixed with poor-quality materials and without iron reinforcements.
“The ongoing drainage work on Jalingo streets is not of the quality that can last even up to a year. We want Governor Kefas to direct the contractor to ensure proper and durable work,” the residents said.
They further warned that the drainage system, as currently constructed, could worsen flooding in the state capital during the rainy season.
“The work being done so far may attract flooding in Jalingo during the rainy period. There is every possibility that the drainage cannot withstand the volume of water flow in the state capital,” they added.
According to them, the use of weak cement blocks without iron rods makes the structures vulnerable and liable to collapse within a short period.
“The contractor is using substandard cement blocks with poor mixtures and no iron reinforcement. Such blocks are weak and may collapse within a year during the rainy season,” they queried.
The residents described the situation as a display of negligence and insensitivity to public welfare, calling on Governor Agbu Kefas to urgently intervene to prevent potential damage that could arise from the poor drainage work in Jalingo.
