By Atlantic Reports

For residents and business owners in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the ongoing road rehabilitation project has brought both relief and frustration.

While the completed section has improved movement, reduced vehicle maintenance costs and attracted customers to roadside businesses, residents along the unfinished stretch are grappling with flooding, disrupted water supply and difficult access to their properties.

The project, being executed by the Bwari Area Council under Chairman Joshua Ishaku, is intended to improve road infrastructure and ease transportation challenges within the community.

Its first phase, covering approximately 500 metres, has been completed and inaugurated as part of activities marking Ishaku's first 100 days in office.

However, residents say the benefits remain uneven, with those living and working along the remaining sections urging the council and its contractor to accelerate construction.

Completed Road Brings Relief to Motorists

For Jackson Babatunde, a car owner living along the completed section, the improvement has made a noticeable difference to his daily movement.

Before the rehabilitation, he said rainfall frequently left the road flooded and muddy, making it difficult to drive without risking damage to his vehicle.

“Before, when it rained, I did not use my car because the road was always bad, flooded and muddy. I could not drive because the vehicle would get damaged,” he explained.

“Now I can use my car anytime. It has reduced the cost of repairs and maintenance.”

His experience illustrates how improved local roads can reduce the financial burden of transportation, particularly for residents who previously faced recurring vehicle repairs caused by poor road conditions.

Reliable road access can also make it easier for families to reach workplaces, schools, markets and healthcare facilities.

Traders Report Improved Business Activities

The rehabilitation has also brought benefits to businesses operating along the completed stretch.

John Ogochukwu, who sells cosmetics and other items in the area, said the improved road surface had reduced dust and encouraged more customers to visit his shop.

“Before, we suffered from dust, but now that this part is fixed, movement is easy. More customers now come to my shop because the road is good,” he said.

For small businesses that depend on passing customers, road conditions can influence sales, delivery costs and accessibility.

A well-maintained road can make shops more attractive to customers and reduce difficulties associated with transporting goods.

However, the positive experiences reported along the completed section contrast sharply with the conditions described by traders whose premises remain affected by unfinished construction.

Shop Owner Counts Losses From Delayed Construction

For Alice Machu, the road project has created a different set of challenges.

Machu, Creative Director of Lapur Shoe Ventures, said the extension and roofing in front of her shop were removed to make way for road and drainage construction.

According to her, workers subsequently stopped coming to that section, leaving the business exposed to rainfall and direct sunlight.

“They removed the extension in front of my shop because they wanted to work on the road and drainage. Since then, we have not seen them continue the work,” she said.

“Whenever it rains, water enters my shop and I cannot work comfortably. The sun also enters because the covering has been removed. It has really affected my business.”

Machu said construction activity had not resumed around her premises for more than a month.

Her experience raises questions about how contractors manage disruptions to businesses during public infrastructure projects.

Although temporary inconvenience is often unavoidable during road construction, prolonged exposure to flooding and harsh weather can affect commercial activities and potentially damage property.

Residents and traders need clear information about construction schedules and measures to minimise such disruptions.

Damaged Water Pipes Leave Households Without Supply

The rehabilitation has also affected access to water in parts of the community.

Resident Uju Nwankwo said water pipes disconnected during construction had not been repaired, forcing her household to find alternative sources.

“Because of the disconnected pipes during construction, there is no water in my house. I have to buy water and send my children to fetch water from far places because they are yet to fix the pipes,” she said.

She added that heaps of soil removed during drainage work had been left along the road, contributing to flooding whenever it rains.

For affected households, the disruption creates additional expenses and places greater demands on family members who must obtain water elsewhere.

The situation also highlights the need for road contractors to coordinate construction activities with existing utility infrastructure.

Road improvements should not leave residents without essential services for extended periods.

Flooding and Muddy Roads Affect Transport Operators

Other residents said the unfinished section continued to pose difficulties for motorists and commercial transport operators.

Ahmed Fad reported that the road became muddy and difficult to navigate during rainfall.

“When it rains, the road becomes muddy and vehicles cannot pass. My vehicle was damaged due to flooding and I had to spend money to repair and wash it,” he said.

Commercial motorcyclist Ibrahim Salisu said the poor condition of the unfinished road had reduced demand for his services.

“Some people are afraid of using bikes on this road when it rains. They prefer to trek. Because of that, business has become slow,” he explained.

His account points to the wider economic consequences of incomplete road infrastructure.

For commercial motorcyclists and other transport operators who depend on daily patronage, reduced access can mean lower earnings.

Residents who avoid using vehicles during rainfall may also face longer journeys and additional inconvenience.

Community Leader Says Project Has Not Been Abandoned

Despite complaints about the pace of work, community leader Jacob Onah said the rehabilitation project had not been abandoned.

According to him, construction is being implemented in phases, with the completed 500-metre section representing only the first stage.

“The road is being done in phases. What people are seeing now is only the first phase of 500 metres. The next phase of about 400 metres will commence soon. It is a five-phase plan,” he said.

Onah also assured residents that water pipes damaged during construction would be repaired as work progressed.

However, he did not provide a specific date for the commencement of the second phase or a timetable for restoring water supply to affected households.

The absence of a clear schedule leaves residents uncertain about how long they may have to endure the current difficulties.

Council Chairman Promises Completion of Projects

Bwari Area Council Chairman Joshua Ishaku had earlier pledged that his administration would ensure the completion of ongoing development projects.

Speaking during activities marking his first 100 days in office, Ishaku said the council would collaborate with other levels of government to address implementation challenges and secure additional support.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the FCT Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike to infrastructure development in the area.

The chairman cited the Bwari Satellite Town Water Project and interventions along the Bwari-Kubwa corridor as examples of cooperation between the FCT Administration and the Area Council.

He maintained that additional infrastructure projects were being pursued to improve residents' livelihoods.

However, the information provided does not establish the total cost of the Dutse road rehabilitation, the project's completion deadline or the contractor's contractual obligations.

These details would help residents assess whether implementation is progressing according to plan.

Residents Need Clear Timelines and Immediate Relief

The Dutse road project demonstrates how public infrastructure improvements can produce significant benefits while also creating hardship when construction is prolonged or poorly coordinated.

For residents along the completed stretch, the rehabilitation has improved access and reduced some transportation difficulties.

For those along the unfinished portion, however, flooding, damaged water pipes and disrupted businesses remain pressing concerns.

The immediate priorities include restoring affected water connections, clearing construction debris that obstructs drainage and providing a credible timetable for the next phase.

Clear communication from the Bwari Area Council and the contractor would also help residents and traders prepare for further construction activities.

Beyond completing the road surface, the project will need effective drainage and proper restoration of affected utilities to deliver lasting benefits.

For the people of Dutse, the measure of success will not simply be the number of metres completed or the inauguration of individual phases.

It will be whether the entire road becomes safe, accessible and functional, without leaving households and businesses to bear avoidable costs along the way.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.