Locals from Zagah village and regular motorists on the Bali–Takum road in Taraba state are calling on the government and federal agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA, to fix a badly eroded stretch of the highway. Over the last two years, erosion has heavily damaged this segment near Suntai in the Bali local government area. The road remains functional for now, but a large section has been washed away, leaving the structure precarious.
This route is a vital link for several regions, including Donga, Kurmi, Ussa, Wukari, and the Yantu Special Development Area. Biliasu Hassan, a local resident, noted that thousands of people—from farmers to students—rely on this corridor for their daily livelihoods. Should the road fail completely, the economic and social consequences for these communities would be severe, potentially mirroring the isolation caused by past road failures in Gassol.
Saminu Usman and other commuters are pleading for preventative repairs to stop the damage from worsening. Motorists like Monday Sanda, who has used this route for 17 years, noted that the current condition makes nighttime travel extremely hazardous. Experts, including an engineer named Vincent, are urging authorities to conduct a technical assessment and implement a permanent, reinforced reconstruction. Prompt action is seen as essential to protect lives, maintain commerce, and avoid the much higher costs associated with emergency repairs after a total collapse.
