The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on Wednesday inaugurated bridges and reinstated failed shoulders and carriageways under the Ministry’s Emergency Special Intervention Project in Gombe State.
Umahi, who was represented by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Council, Faruk Muazu, lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the intervention to ensure the free flow of traffic in the state.
The interventions include bridges along Ture (Kaltungo) on the Gombe–Yola axis, reinstatement of failed shoulders and road washouts along the Gombe–Bauchi Road, as well as works on the Gombe bypass at Bomala.
Umahi said, “Before now, this road was not motorable, but with the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works under the directive of Mr President, motorists can now move freely. The bridges, carriageway underlay, and reinstatement of shoulders will make the road safer and reduce accidents.”
While commending Tinubu for the recently approved Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe road dualisation project, Umahi added, “We also appreciate him for approving the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road. This will further enhance movement across the North-East.”
On his part, the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammed Abdullahi, emphasised the ministry’s efforts, stating, “This is part of the 260 emergency projects aimed at addressing critically failed federal highways. The essence is to tackle the most deteriorated portions.”
The Federal Controller of Works in the state, Engr. Mohammed Bappa, described the project as a quick intervention to prevent accidents.
He said, “This is one of the emergency projects executed by this administration. It has been successfully completed. As you can see, the road is busy; it links Gombe, Bauchi, Yola, Taraba, and even the Cameroon corridor.”
Bappa added that the project was awarded in early January 2024 with a three-month completion timeline.
“The three bridges cost ₦256,518,837,” he said.
