Travellers stranded, as road links Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon cut off

Travellers and traders are left stranded along the Maiduguri-Dikwa highway after a flash flood.

  By Sule Ado, Maiduguri

Business has come to a virtual standstill as floodwater disrupts movement between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries, leaving commuters and traders in the lurch.

Recently a devastating flood struck Maiduguri and its environs, a flash flood has washed away sections of the Ajiri-Dikwa and Dikwa-Maiduguri roads, disrupting movement between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon.

The affected area, known as Bakassi along the Maiduguri-Dikwa Road, about 5km from Dikwa Town in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Travellers and traders are left stranded along the Maiduguri-Dikwa highway after a flash flood.

The deluge came weeks after floods washed away sections of the Madagali-Gwoza and Maiduguri-Damboa roads, further compounding transport challenges in the state in Nigeria’s northeast.

Large tracts of farmland and produce have also been destroyed and washed away in the floodwater.

Borno state is an international trade gateway with federal roads linking Nigeria with Cameroon and Chad.

Modu Bana, a commercial driver who regularly uses the Maiduguri-Dikwa highway, said travelling on the road was extremely difficult, adding that it could take three or four days to reach one’s destination if one managed to get there at all.

“Vehicles cannot cross the floodwater. If travellers want to get through, they have to remove their clothes and swim.

“If you want to cross the road by car, you have to pay between #20K – #30,000 to get your car mounted on drogues [a locally made floating platform using drums and barrels] and pulled across. But the youths who are offering this service can only pull small cars carrying a few passengers. They cannot pull trucks across.

“Despite the challenges, people from the Dikwa, Mafa, Maiduguri, Ngala and Kala-Balge local government areas are still using that route because it’s the quickest and most-convenient route. But it’s dangerous. People could be swept away or drown in the floodwater,” said Mai.

“We are pleading with the government to fix the damaged roads as soon as possible.”

Baba Gana Abu, also a commercial driver, said sections of the Maiduguri-Dikwa highway were destroyed and cut off by the flash flood about eight days ago.

“It is a serious problem because the movement of passengers and goods from Maiduguri to the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon has been cut off.

“Some passengers pay the normal fare of ₦3,000. When they reach the flooded sections of the road, they disembark and swim through the floodwater. When they get to the other end, they get into a different car and continue their journey. It’s the only way to get through. But each section costs more money.”

Mohammed Goni Ali Shukura, a trader from Borno State, lamented that it was a major challenge to transport goods to and from Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon.

“The roads have never been that good but the floodwaters have made them even worse.

“The Maiduguri-Dikwa highway is the main road used by traders. Right now, my property and goods – worth millions of naira – are stuck. All the routes are blocked. We are just hoping that after the rainy season all the muddy roads will dry out and we will be able to travel. For now, our business activities and trading have come to a standstill.

“Even alternative routes are blocked. And fares have increased. It’s extremely difficult to trade with our neighbouring countries.

“We are appealing to the Nigerian government to repair the roads to allow for the sustainable flow of economic and business activities in the Lake Chad region.”

Significant sections of the roads are impassable, affecting travel to and from communities in Mafa, Dikwa, Ngala, Marte, Kala-Balge and Maiduguri, as well as Chad and Cameroon.

The Borno State Police Command has advised travellers to seek alternative routes and stay updated on the situation.