The Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Wednesday joined the APC National Chairman and other dignitaries for the official flag-off of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Super Highway.
The groundbreaking ceremony was performed in Akwanga by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Director-General Press Affairs Gombe Government House Ismaila Misilli, which was made available to journalists in the state.
The project is a major component of the Tinubu administration’s ambitious highway development programme, designed to connect Nigeria’s coastal, savannah and Sahel corridors through modern road infrastructure that can drive commerce, improve mobility and expand opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
It will be recalled that only recently, the Federal Government flagged off the Gombe-Biu section of the same legacy highway project, further demonstrating its resolve to accelerate work on the strategic transport corridor.
In his remarks, Prof. Yilwatda said the project is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to building enduring infrastructure that will stimulate economic growth, foster national unity and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
He noted that the administration remains focused on delivering projects with lasting socio-economic impact across every region of the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Governor Inuwa Yahaya
commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure as a catalyst for national development, describing the super highway as a legacy project that will accelerate economic activities, promote social cohesion and boost Nigeria’s unity through improved connectivity.
“The significance of this project cannot be overstated. Beyond providing a modern road network, it will facilitate trade, reduce travel time, enhance security, create jobs and connect markets, businesses and communities across several geopolitical zones,” the governor said.
At the instance of Governor Yahaya as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Muftwang, stated that the people of Northern Nigeria deeply appreciate the President’s commitment to equitable development, expressing confidence that the project will stand as one of the defining achievements of the Tinubu administration.
He described the super highway as one of the most consequential infrastructure investments in Nigeria’s recent history, saying it represents a bold step towards unlocking the enormous economic potential of Northern Nigeria while strengthening links with other parts of the country.
Earlier, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, presented a comprehensive overview of the project, assuring Nigerians that the road would be delivered according to the highest engineering standards by competent and reputable contractors with proven capacity to execute projects of such magnitude.
He explained that the super highway is designed to improve logistics, ease the movement of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, reduce transportation costs and open up new economic frontiers along the corridor.
Earlier in the day, Governor Inuwa Yahaya joined his Nasarawa State counterpart, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, at the commissioning of the newly completed 600- metre Akwanga Underpass and a dualized township roads in Akwanga.
Yahaya congratulated Governor Sule on the successful execution of the projects, praising his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and noting that the projects reflect prudent leadership and a deliberate effort to improve the quality of life of the people of Nasarawa State.