Neglected and Forgotten: Dong to Vulpi Villages Cry Out for Road Infrastructure

By Samamo Dedan

A growing outcry is echoing from the heart of Dong and surrounding villages under the Vulpi Development Area in Adamawa State, as residents lament the deplorable condition of the only road that connects them to the rest of the state.

The affected communities—Gamadio, Yanga, Bolki, Gon, Vulpi, and others—are predominantly agrarian, contributing significantly to food production through seasonal farming and fishing. However, they say their efforts are continually undermined by the near-impassable road linking them to Numan, their nearest commercial hub.

Over the weekend, images surfaced showing a truck, heavily laden with agricultural produce, stuck in thick mud along the Dong-Vulpi route. The scene, locals say, is not unusual but rather a recurring nightmare that farmers and traders face, particularly during the rainy season.

“This road is not just a path; it is our livelihood,” said one frustrated farmer in Bolki. “Our crops rot, our trucks break down, and our people suffer in silence while our leaders look the other way.”

Residents accuse political leaders and representatives of neglect and empty promises, questioning the sincerity of those in office who often cite development as a priority but deliver little in reality.

“We are tired of eloquent speeches and political visits during election season,” said Mallam Adamu, a teacher in Gamadio. “When it’s time to vote, they remember us. But when we cry out for basic infrastructure like roads, we are forgotten.”

The disrepair of the Dong-Vulpi road is more than an inconvenience; for many, it is a matter of survival. With no alternative route, villagers often resort to walking long distances or using motorcycles at great personal risk. Emergency response, healthcare access, and education have all been negatively impacted by the failing road network.

Critics argue that continued neglect of rural infrastructure amounts to systemic injustice, especially in regions that contribute significantly to the state’s food basket. Community leaders are calling on the Adamawa State Government and relevant authorities to treat the road rehabilitation as an urgent development priority.

“This is no longer just a cry for roads,” said Pastor Luka, a community mobilizer in Yanga. “It is a cry for dignity. For justice. For visibility. For respect.”

As the rainy season continues, fears grow that more trucks will be trapped, more harvests will be lost, and more dreams dashed unless swift action is taken.

Efforts to reach the local government council officials for comments have so far been unsuccessful.

For now, the road remains a muddy testimony to neglect, and the people of Dong and Vulpi continue their struggle—resilient but unheard.