BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The original inhabitants, visitors and settlers are set to experience new lease of life with transformative projects in Mambila Plateau, 64 years after it was conceived.
Part of the projects are Bali–Serti (Gashaka)–Gembu road; Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang (Lip) road; and special intervention on failed sections of Jalingo-Mutum Biyu-Tella-Wukari road caused by flooding.
At the conclusion of National Media Tour of the North East, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works visited the projects, all cited in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang (Lip) road, which links to the Cameroon border, alongside other interventions were conceived to improve livelihoods in the communities.
Recall that on February 11, 1961, a United Nations-supervised plebiscite was held in the British-administered Northern Cameroons.
As majority of the residents voted to join the Federation of Nigeria rather than the Republic of Cameroon, the territory was officially declared part of Nigeria on June 1, 1961.
The area was later incorporated into the Northern part of Nigeria and named Sardauna Province.
One of the conditions listed by the communities to be a part of Nigeria was the construction of access roads, which the then government accepted but failed to fulfill the promise.
Reacting, the Mbondua of Mbamnga Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sale Mbondu appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi for initiating remarkable Federal projects in his domain.
He noted that the projects already improved trade, tourism, investment, commerce, and access to healthcare, while reducing travel time in the area.
The monarch highlighted that journeys, which previously lasted up to six hours due to dilapidated road and absence of bridge leading to the river, was shortened since the inception of the projects and completion of one of the bridges.
He described the ongoing construction of the road linking Nigeria with the Republic of Cameroun as an intervention that finally assuaged decades of neglect and suffering by communities on the Mambila Plateau.
According to him, the project represented the fulfilment of long-standing promises by successive administrations and a turning point in the integration of Mbamnga and surrounding communities into the national economy.
"This road has changed our story. For decades, we were cut off. People crossed rivers with canoes and ferries, and a journey of barely 15 kilometres could take up to six hours. Today, that suffering is coming to an end. We now feel that we truly belong to Nigeria," he said.
The Mbondua of Mbamnga commended the Federal Government for approving and implementing the project that ended over six decades of unfulfilled promises.
"He (Tinubu) awarded the contract, not knowing that he also fulfilled one of the promises made in 1961, before we joined Nigeria. So, we are happy and full of praises," the monarch added.
Mbondu praised the contractor for the timely delivery of a bridge along the route, describing the use of CRCP technology as a wise decision that will increase the lifespan of the road.
He said that most of his people saw the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology for the first time in their lifetime.
The Federal Controller of Works in Taraba State, Engr. Ibrahim Usman explained that the project, which is located on the Mambila Plateau, commenced on January 13, 2025, and is scheduled for completion by July 12, 2027.
He described the road as a critical transport artery linking the Mambila Plateau to the Camerounian border.
Usman disclosed that as of January, 2026, overall progress stood at about 20.76 per cent, with key components recording between 25 and 30 per cent completion.
"One bridge has been completed, while work continues on a second bridge along the corridor," he said.
A representative of the contractor, Mr. Mathew Legacy, said that the company remains committed to delivering quality projects despite the challenges posed by difficult terrains and heavy rainfall.
He lamented that prolonged rains affected the construction timelines, assuring that standards would not be compromised as the area experiences double rainfall annually.
The Vice Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Ngantem described the project as dynamic for daily life and economic activities across the plateau.
Another project inspected by the team was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Bali–Serti (Gashaka)–Gembu road, approximately 235 kilometres long.
It is executed by S.C.C. (Nigeria) Limited, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s resolve to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.
The project, which is funded under the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme, commenced at Bali roundabout and extended to Gembu, traversing lowlands and the mountainous terrains of the Mambila Plateau.
It served as the primary access route connecting Taraba State to the Cameroun Republic. Though President Tinubu stopped NNPC from funding the project, he approved that the project should continue while exploring other financing option.
The Bali–Serti (Gashaka) stretch of the alignment was asphalted, alongside road markings. Other ongoing works on the remaining alignment include retaining walls, crash barriers, and slope protection measures, designed to mitigate landslides, and gradual falling of rocks on road users and the carriageway.
Engr. Usman added that approximately 12 kilometres of wearing course and 18 kilometres of binder course have been laid, alongside over 4 kilometres of drain-to-drain asphalt shoulders to enhance durability.
He emphasised that all works complied with engineering specifications and the minister’s directives to prioritise critical sections, as well as to protect completed carriageways.
The contracting Firm, S.C.C Nigeria Limited, represented by the Zonal Manager, Engr. Michael Rolbin highlighted the technical challenges of the hilly terrain and the attention given to slope stabilisation and protective works for the safety of motorists.
He was confident that when completed, the road will improve accessibility, transportation efficiency, and regional economic potential.
The two projects aim to provide high protection for road users by reducing vehicle maintenance costs, lowering transportation expenses, saving travel time and energy, and minimising highway incidents and fatalities.
At the commissioning of special intervention on failed sections along the Jalingo-Mutum Biyu-Tella-Wukari road caused by flooding, the FCW hinted that the project was linked to the northeast, northcentral and southeast, including the FCT through Makurdi, while strengthening socio-economic activities.
Within the corridor, the project also has commercial and agricultural towns and villages, making it vulnerable to high vehicular traffic.
The contract for the project was outlined as an emergency repair of distressed and deplorable road in order to reduce travel time, cost of vehicle maintenance/repairs, and prevent accidents.
Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Taraba State Branch, Comrade Mathew Jen, who inaugurated the project, on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi praised the Federal Government for citing several roads in the state, thanking the President for the opportunity to perform the task.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed in Abuja.
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