By Palang Paul
After more than four decades of government neglect, the people of Rewienku Community of Bassa county in Plateau State Nigeria have taken their destiny into their own hands by launching a self-funded road construction project aimed at linking key parts of their village and improving access to essential services.
The ambitious community-driven initiative, spearheaded by the Rewienku Community Development Association (RCDA) and supported by the Rewienku Youth Development Association (RYDA), seeks to end years of hardship caused by impassable roads and official inaction despite repeated appeals to successive administrations.
For over 40 years, residents of Rewienku have endured isolation due to poor road infrastructure that has crippled transportation, education, healthcare delivery, and economic activity. With no help forthcoming, the community decided to act.
The projects now underway include:
1. Construction of a motorable road linking Nyie Ribeh and Nyie Rikwengu.
2. A second road from Twins Junction connecting Nyie Rikwengu to Nyie Ribah and Nyie Wuzu, all within Rewienku Village.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mai Angwa Gado Wiki, the Senior Village Head of Rewienku, commended the people for their unity and resilience, describing the effort as “a landmark decision born out of necessity and determination.”
> “We have waited patiently for over 40 years, appealing to different administrations without any result. Today, our people have taken the initiative to build what the government has failed to provide,” he said. “This road is not just a path—it is a lifeline that will reconnect our villages and revive our local economy.”
Similarly, Elder Jonathan Kura, a community leader and RCDA representative, emphasized that the effort was not an act of defiance but a call for collaboration.
> “We are not protesting; we are partnering for progress,” he stated. “But it is time for the government to recognize and complement the efforts of the people of Rewienku.”
Comrade Moses Gado, Chairman of the Rewienku Youth Development Association, also applauded the volunteer spirit displayed by the community, describing it as “a testament to people’s power and the will to survive in the face of neglect.”
The community is appealing to the Local Government Council, the Plateau State Ministry of Works, and other relevant agencies to visit the project site and provide technical assistance, machinery, and construction materials to ensure the sustainability and timely completion of the roads.
Residents believe the new roads will greatly improve mobility, boost local trade, and ease access to schools, farms, and healthcare centers, thereby transforming the socio-economic landscape of the area
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