Citizens of Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba have appealed to the state and federal governments to urgently rehabilitate the Mararaba–Ba’issa road, describing it as the lifeline of the council’s economy.
Mr Kamal Hammajo Adam, a journalist and concerned citizen, made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Ba’issa.
He said the road, which links the council headquarters to Jalingo, the state capital, has remained in a deplorable condition for decades, hindering agriculture, trade, healthcare delivery and education in the area.
According to him, although the neglect of the road spans successive administrations, governance is a continuous process and the current leaders have the opportunity to change the narrative.
Adam urged Gov. Agbu Kefas, Sen. Haruna Manu (Taraba Central), and Rep. David Abel Fuoh (Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency) to prioritise road construction and rehabilitation in Kurmi.
“The urgent need for road networks in Kurmi is not just an infrastructural issue, it is about the daily survival of farmers, businessmen, students, healthcare seekers, and even investors,” he said.
Highlighting the economic potential of the LGA, Adam said Kurmi is blessed with fertile land and forest resources that make it a reservoir of agricultural and mineral wealth.
He listed cocoa, coffee, rice, maize, palm oil, and timber among major produce, noting that the Federal Government had already earmarked 10,000 hectares in Kurmi for cocoa sector investment.
He also pointed out that the defunct Baissa Timber Development Corporation (BTDC), coupled with mineral deposits and proximity to the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, could drive industrialisation and eco-tourism if road access is improved.
“Without good roads, Kurmi’s vast cocoa plantations, rice fields, oil palm groves, and mineral resources remain locked away, and its people cut off from the progress they deserve,” Adam added.
He emphasised that roads are not only vital for trade and investment but also for peace and security, as they connect communities and create opportunities for inclusive growth.
Adam appealed to government at all levels to act swiftly, stressing that “history remembers those who take action, not those who shift responsibility.”
