By Ma’aji Dandaura

Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed dismay on the bad condition of roads in Lafia metropolis.

This followed a motion raised by Hon. Adamu Mu’azu Adogi, member representing Lafia north constituency, under matters of public interest on the proposed College of Agriculture Shinge bye-pass project which is to link Doma road with Jos road in Lafia.

He lamented that the bye-pass which was included in the 2008 budget was yet to be constructed, thereby causing unnecessary traffic congestion in Lafia metropolis.

Hon. Adogi observed that the recent Maulud celebration held in Lafia town caused a lot of congestion in the town, because of the absence of such bye-pass, pointing out that the road from College of Agriculture to Adogi was always congested.

He said Lafia by its status as a state capital needed a bye-pass.

He said the College of Agriculture bye-pass if constructed would go along way to reduce traffic congestion in the state capital.

Also in his contribution, Hon. Ishaq Kana representing Kokona-West constituency said there was need to direct the committee on budget and project implementation to supervise all ongoing projects in the 2008 budget to ensure their implementation.

Contributing to the debate on the motion, the chairman of the House committee on urban development Hon. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo said he met with the state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma on the issue of the bye-pass and was told that work on the project had started as planned, but the funds meant for it was diverted to other areas because the federal government had offered to undertake the execution of the road project for the state.

He said roads in Lafia metropolis needed to be given proper attention, stressing that there is the need for the state House of Assembly to ginger up the government.

Hon. Onawo said the motion moved by Hon. Adogi was in order and should be pursued with vigour.

In a related development, the House of Assembly has resolved to embark on the supervision of on-going projects in the state.

The House resolved that by embarking on the supervision of all on-going projects in the state, it would encourage the contractors to put more effort in the projects they are handling.