Long distance drivers on Yola, Maiduguri and Abuja, Maiduguri route Sunday commended the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and the GOC 7 division Nigeria Army, Major General Abdulmalik Biu, for their prompt response to the plight of travellers as well as drivers plying the Maiduguri, Damaturu road by reviewing the closing time of the Auno gate from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
A driver with the Adamawa Sunshine, who identify himself as Modibo Umar, told DAILY POST that rate of accident due to speed to meet up with time of closure has drastically reduced following the review of the time.
“We usually leave Adamawa at 6:00 am, but because of the distance and checkpoints, driver always move on top speed in order to meet up. This has cause a lot of accidents and so many lives have been lost. But with the review of time now following the visit of the Borno state governor, drivers are moving within speed limit and there has not been cases of accident as before,” he said.
Another driver with the Borno Express, Malam Abubakar said checkpoints along the road where drivers have to wait in queue for ten and sometimes twenty minutes have been an issue for them meeting with the time of closure at Auno gate prior to the review of time.
“We thank all who speak out to move the governor to action and we thank the GOC also for given the order to review the time. We lost some of our drivers and passengers because of speed so that the gate is not closed before they arrive. Today, we are very happy with the new development. I just arrive with my passengers about 5:30pm when I check my time and the gate is wide open. The passengers too were very happy.” Abubakar said.
According to him, drivers who arrived Damaturu by 5:30pm knows that they do not need to move on to Maiduguri because the Auno gate as it was no longer the problem for drivers.
“We have asked our members to stay in Damaturu once it is 5:30pm as Beneshiekh is not safe. Also moving in between Damaturu and Maiduguri around that time is also not safe for travellers. We are happy because those who travelled from Abuja to Maiduguri also arrived by 5:30 or 6:00pm at that time they would have pass the Auno gate before closure and they move with normal speed limit,” he added.
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