Residents of Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba State are expressing frustration after a flooded section of the Jalingo–Karim Lamido Road forced men to carry women on their heads to help them cross. A video circulating from the area shows men wading through floodwater while carrying women above their shoulders as they attempt to navigate the difficult stretch.
Video Shows Men Carrying Women Across Flooded Road
The footage, which has sparked widespread concern, captures men carrying female travelers on their heads across the deeply flooded road. Residents say the situation has made movement along the route challenging, especially during the rainy season. One resident in the video lamented, “This is the road from Jalingo to Karim Lamido. Grown men are carrying women on their heads just to cross.”
Some residents questioned the state of the road, with one asking, “Are we cursed in Taraba State?” while expressing disappointment over the continued hardship faced by commuters. The video has renewed attention on the condition of the Jalingo–Karim Lamido Road, a route residents rely on for movement between Karim Lamido and Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Governor’s 2024 Promise Recalled
The development comes about two years after Governor Agbu Kefas reportedly promised residents that the road would be completed before his next campaign. During an event in Karim Lamido in 2024, the governor said: “Before my next campaign, I believe that the road from Jalingo to Karim-Lamido would have been finished.” However, residents say the recent footage of people struggling to cross the flooded section shows that the challenge remains unresolved.
The road’s condition has previously raised concerns among residents, who have called for government intervention to improve access and reduce difficulties caused by poor infrastructure. Farmers and traders in the area also use the route to transport goods and agricultural produce, making the road vital to the local economy.
Government Announces Road Projects Amid Ongoing Hardship
Governor Kefas’ administration has announced road construction and rehabilitation projects across Taraba, including several major road corridors, as part of its infrastructure plans. Despite these announcements, residents continue to face difficulties on the Jalingo–Karim Lamido route, particularly during the rainy season.
The video has prompted calls for immediate action to address the flooding and repair the road, as residents await tangible progress on the governor’s promise. The situation underscores the broader infrastructure challenges in Taraba State, where poor road conditions during rainy seasons disrupt daily life and economic activities.
