Borno State plans tollgates, begins ‘operation zero potholes’

The Borno State Government has announced plans to build four tollgates in Maiduguri metropolis to generate more revenues for the maintenance of roads.Under the move, 100 trucks belonging to State’s Roads Maintenance Agency (BORMA) will also commercialised to argument revenues to be raised from the planned tollgates.

Executive Chairman of the maintenance agency, Ahmed Satomi who made this known in Maiduguri, while flagging of “Operation Zero Potholes” to improve roads and drainage facilities in the metropolis, said the generation of more revenues from tollgates and leasing of trucks, could sustain the maintenance of roads and highways in the state.

In his maiden press conference, Satomi said Borno is currently suffering from infrastructural deficit especially in terms of roads. “Having taken reconnaissance surveys of roads in Maiduguri, the state capital, the roads maintenance agency will embark on “Operation Zero Potholes” in the first 30 days in office so as to improve on the standards of township and community roads.

“The quality and number of equipment in the possession of BORMA made a former Minister of Works during Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to urge Borno State Government to register with his ministry to bid for contracts because it has all it takes to do so,” he said.

The Chairman further disclosed that a zonal office will be established in Biu Local Government Area soon to oversee roads construction in Southern Borno, which will begin with Biu Township Roads construction and speedy completion of Miringa- Gunda road.