BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have applauded the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of roads in Bauchi that links to Gombe and Adamawa States.
The roads are among the 260 Emergency/Special Intervention Projects launched at the inception of APC's administration in May 2023, meant to restore critically damaged portions of Federal highways across the country.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Chapter, Comrade Faruk Mu'azu described the rehabilitation as timely and impactful.
"If you can recall vividly, the road was not motorable, but with the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works, movement is free and without hitches."
Mu’azu who commissioned the project on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the award of contract for the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe road.
He emphasised that the expansion of the highway would ease movement between the Northcentral, and Northeast zones and serve as an enabler of growth.
The emergency works on a critical corridor linking Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa States were executed in two complementary components such as overlay of the carriageway and reinstatement of shoulders, alongside drainage improvements.
Before the intervention, the road had suffered significant failure, posing safety risks and constraining socio-economic activities.
The Federal Controller of Works, Gombe State, Engr. Mohammed Jahun stated that the project restored safety along the route, observing that traffic flow improved considerably as a result of the intervention.
Also commissioned by the NUJ Chairman was the Reinstatement of Failed Shoulders along the Gombe Bypass.
The contract, which was completed within three months, covered 1.5km of road and 910m of drainage.
Road users and residents eulogised the President for alleviating their plight through the interventions.
Another strategic and vital corridor, is the Gombe–Billiri–Cham road, linking Gombe and Adamawa States. Three failed bridges along the stretch were urgently rehabilitated due to safety concerns, particularly for nighttime travellers.
The scope of work included restoration of damaged handrails, rehabilitation of abutments, stone pitching, reconstruction of wing walls, and reinforcement of structural components to enhance stability and visibility.
Jahun explained that the rehabilitation eliminated previous hazards associated with the bridges, improving structural integrity and ensuring safer passage for road users.
The commissioning was done by the Chairman of the Gombe State Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Hudu Shehu, who officially handed them over for public use, on behalf of the Minister.
While commending the Federal Government, he prayed that the road would serve the interest of humanity, and contribute to the common good of the people.
When the administration came into office, it inherited 2,064 ongoing projects with a debt overhang of over ₦13 trillion.
In view of the fiscal burden and paucity of funds, priority was given to deteriorated roads so as to enhance safety and facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed in Abuja.
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