Farmers Left Stranded As Multi-Million Naira Katsina Farm Road Fails Months After Construction – Report
Monitng, a socio-accountability organisation, has voiced concerns over the fast deterioration of a newly constructed farm road in Unguwar Dukula Dan Mahawayi, located in Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the group condemned the project’s substandard quality and called for an immediate investigation into its execution.
“We visited the newly constructed farm road in Unguwar Dukula Dan Mahawayi, Danja LGA, Katsina State, meant to serve as an agricultural multi-million naira access road connecting various communities, only to find it washed away just months after completion by SDY Engineering Construction,” the report said.
The organisation highlighted the road’s strategic importance to the region’s economy and condemned what it described as a “severe lapse in construction quality.”
“This multi-million-naira project, intended to boost rural connectivity and agricultural productivity, now lies in ruins, with massive potholes and eroded sections making it impassable. The devastating failure of this road highlights a severe lapse in construction quality and raises questions about the integrity of the project execution.”
The failure has left local farmers and residents in a dire situation.
“Farmers and residents who depended on this road for their livelihoods are left stranded, their hopes dashed by this glaring failure,” it said.
Monitng emphasised the road’s intended role in facilitating market access and reducing agricultural losses.
It said, “The importance of this road to the local economy cannot be overstated. It was meant to connect farmers to markets, ensuring timely transport of perishable goods and reducing post-harvest losses.
“For a region like Danja LGA, where agriculture is the backbone of the community, a reliable road network is a lifeline. Families rely on these farms for their daily sustenance, and the road’s failure directly threatens their income and food security.”
The group also highlighted the human and emotional toll that the road’s failure has caused.
“The human angle here is heartbreaking—farmers who invested their sweat and resources into their crops now face the grim reality of watching their produce rot due to lack of access,” it said.
Monitng called for stronger oversight and accountability in the execution of public infrastructure projects.
It said, “This catastrophic failure underscores the critical need for oversight by government agencies in public infrastructure projects.
“Had there been proper monitoring during the construction process, such substandard work could have been identified and rectified before completion.
“Agencies responsible for ensuring quality and compliance must step up to prevent such wastage of public funds. The collapse of this road is not just a loss of infrastructure but a betrayal of trust for the people who rely on these projects for their survival.”
From an economic standpoint, the group warned of wider consequences.
“From an economic perspective, the road’s failure has far-reaching implications. The agricultural sector in Katsina State contributes significantly to the state’s GDP, and disruptions like this can ripple through the economy, affecting not just farmers but also traders, transporters, and consumers,” it said.
“A single washed-out road can lead to increased food prices, reduced market access, and a decline in the region’s economic activity. For a state striving to improve its agricultural output, this setback is a stark reminder of the need for durable, well-executed infrastructure projects.”
Monitng concluded with a direct call to government authorities and anti-corruption agencies to probe the incident.
“We call on @icpcnigeria (Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission), @officialEFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) & Gov @dikko_radda (Governor Dikko Radda) to urgently investigate this failed project by SDY Engineering Construction in Unguwar Dukula Dan Mahawayi, Danja LGA, Katsina State. The people deserve answers, why did this road collapse so quickly, and where did the funds go? Transparency and accountability are crucial to restoring faith in public projects,” it said.
“Let’s ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that future projects prioritise quality and the well-being of the communities they serve.”
Videos seen by SaharaReporters show the deplorable state of the road, with residents lamenting the neglect it suffered, including substandard contracts executed months after “construction.”
“We cannot pass the road with a big ditch all denying access. If we have to pass, this trailer (referring to a stranded trailer), for instance, will need to pass through people’s farms and that is a plight that has been faced by residents from time to time. It is time to look at how the project has been handled and there should be provision of succour for users,” an affected motorist stated.
EXPOSED!!!
Dear @icpcnigeria & @officialEFCC
We visited the newly constructed farm road in Unguwar Dukula Dan Mahawayi, Danja LGA, Katsina State, meant to serve an agricultural multi-million naira access road connecting various communities, only to find it washed away just… pic.twitter.com/PCG2dDDTha
— MonITNG (@monitng) June 4, 2025
