: Dualisation of Misau Township Road

Bauchi State has given approval for ₦6.5 billion to dualise a 7.5-kilometre township road in Misau Local Government Area. 

The project includes converting from single-lane to dual carriageway, plus adding modern drainage, streetlights, and pedestrian walkways.  

Nicholas David. He and Engineer Mohammed Babagana (supervisor from Bauchi State Ministry of Works/Transport) have been monitoring progress.  

Officials involved include the Commissioner for Works & Transport and the Commissioner for Information and Communications. 

Misau town, Bauchi State. This road is a key arterial route connecting markets, schools, healthcare facilities, etc. It is also part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion and accidents in the town.  

Improve safety, reduce travel time, encourage economic activities (better flow of goods & people), mitigate flooding via good drainage.

Delays initially occurred because of fluctuating prices of construction materials, but now materials have stabilised so there’s no further variation expected, apart from what has already been allowed.

Some contract sum variation was needed due to increased cost of materials. But contractors say the rise is now stable.  

Local people (traders, school staff, market women, commuters) express optimism. They believe the project will help business, safety for kids, ease of transport.  

Some concerns from community leaders include wanting transparency, ensuring quality, timely delivery. Officials have said oversight mechanisms are in place.  

Gwallameji Drainage Crisis: Residents Brace for Another Rainy Season Disaster

Bauchi – As the rains begin to fall in Bauchi State, residents of Gwallameji community are once again living in fear of destructive floods. With little to no functioning drainage system in the area, overflowing water from blocked gutters and unpaved roads causes daily havoc. Homes are being soaked, roads rendered impassable, and residents forced to wade through stagnant pools to reach their destinations.

For years, locals have appealed to the state and local governments for proper drainage infrastructure—so far with little result. “Whenever it rains for more than 20 minutes, everywhere is flooded. Water enters houses, and students can’t go to class,” said Maryam Sani, a student of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. Even landlords are beginning to lose tenants due to the annual mess. “We patch and dig small gutters by ourselves. But we need real drainage,” added Alhaji Ibrahim, a longtime resident and property owner.

The flooding doesn’t just affect comfort—it brings health risks. Stagnant water near homes breeds mosquitoes, raising concerns about malaria and waterborne diseases. The situation is worst in areas around Kofar Yola Road, Students’ Lodge Area, and behind Polytechnic Quarters. Photos taken after recent rains show knee-deep pools and flooded passageways. Yet, officials have not commenced any visible work since last year’s outcry.

Local community leaders and student groups are now renewing calls for immediate intervention before the peak of the rainy season. “We don’t want another repeat of 2022 where a child drowned behind Block D hostel,” said Ibrahim Yusuf, a member of the Gwallameji Youth Forum. As pressure mounts, residents hope the government will act before nature does.

Garbage for Rent: Refuse Dumps Take Over Vacant Plots in Gwallameji

Bauchi – With no coordinated waste collection system in place, several abandoned or undeveloped plots in Gwallameji have turned into illegal refuse dumps. Residents now fear a health crisis as piles of garbage breed mosquitoes, attract rodents, and emit foul odors.

At least five dumpsites were spotted across the community, most located between residential hostels or near footpaths. “This land used to be empty. Now it’s a public dustbin,” said Abubakar Tijjani, a student whose lodge shares a fence with a major dump. “We inhale the stench every morning.”

Despite repeated complaints to caretakers and landlords, little action has been taken. Some landlords even reportedly burn refuse in open areas, releasing toxic smoke into the neighborhood. “It’s a serious environmental concern,” said a representative from BASEPA. “We’ve issued warnings, but without proper enforcement, people keep dumping waste carelessly.”

Students and youth groups are now calling for the introduction of designated collection points and government-supplied bins. Without urgent intervention, Gwallameji could face a sanitation outbreak in the heart of its student district.

Hustle and Study: How Students in Polytechnics Balance School and Side Business

– In a community where many students struggle to survive without parental support, side businesses have become a means of survival. From pastries to hairstyling, phone repairs to online reselling, students are proving that entrepreneurship and education can coexist.

“I bake banana bread every weekend and sell on campus,” said Blessing Moses, an HND student. “That’s how I pay my rent and buy handouts.” Across the community, you’ll find students running mini-POS booths, tailoring services, and even barber shops right from their hostels.

While the businesses offer financial relief, they also come with stress. “Sometimes I close shop late and miss morning lectures,” confessed Ibrahim, a phone repair apprentice. Lecturers acknowledge the effort but worry about academic performance. “They must find balance,” said Mr. Audu, a Mass Communication lecturer.

The polytechnic SUG Welfare Director commended the spirit of student enterprise and called for more support from NGOs and school management. For many polytechnic students, hustling is not just a choice — it’s the only option for survival.

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Firewood and Smoke: Gwallameji Women Still Cooking with Charcoal in 2025

Firewood and Smoke: Gwallameji Women Still Cooking with Charcoal in 2025

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Despite campaigns for clean energy, many households and food vendors in Gwallameji still cook with charcoal and firewood, citing high cooking gas prices and poor refilling access. The practice continues to pose health risks, especially to women and children exposed to heavy smoke daily.

“I switched back to charcoal after gas reached ₦1,200 per kg,” said Halima, a food vendor in Gwallameji. “Besides, it’s safer for me and lasts longer.” A survey of cooking spots behind hostels and near the market revealed many residents cooking in open spaces with no ventilation, using plastic bags and rubber as fire starters.

Medical experts warn that long-term exposure to smoke from solid fuels increases the risk of respiratory infections, eye diseases, and even chronic lung conditions. “We’ve seen a rise in complaints related to persistent cough and shortness of breath, especially among women,” said a community health worker.

Environmental agencies continue to advocate for the use of gas and improved cookstoves, but without subsidy or local access to affordable LPG, many residents say they have no choice. For now, the traditional smoke continues to rise.

Students Turn to POS Operators as Banks Neglect Gwallameji

Bauchi – With no physical bank branch located within Gwallameji, thousands of students and residents now depend entirely on POS operators for financial transactions. While convenient, the system comes with high transaction charges, security risks, and frequent network failures.

Sometimes, you’re charged ₦200 just to withdraw ₦5,000,” lamented Sarah Adebayo, an ND2 Accounting student. “But we have no choice because the nearest ATM is in town, and it’s always crowded or out of service.” POS agents interviewed confirmed that network delays and cash scarcity affect their operations almost daily.

Beyond the fees, residents have also raised safety concerns. There have been multiple reports of theft or fraud during withdrawals. “We’ve recorded cases of fake alerts and snatched POS machines,” said a community vigilante member. “There’s no police station here, so criminals take advantage.”

Community leaders and students are urging commercial banks to establish micro-branches or ATMs closer to the community. Until then, POS kiosks remain both the lifeline and the risk point for financial services in Gwallameji.