Tinubu unveils fourth legacy superhighway, okays N111bn take-off funds

n n

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday flagged off the construction of the fourth Legacy Project under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and approved the immediate release of N111bn for the commencement of the 700-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway.

n

The approval was announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during the groundbreaking ceremony for Section One, Phase One of the project, a 125-kilometre stretch traversing Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states.

n

The project, one of the administration’s flagship infrastructure initiatives, is expected to link communities across the North-Central and North-East geopolitical zones, improve security, ease transportation and stimulate economic activities.

n

The president, represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for Section One, Phase One of the project, a 125-kilometre stretch running from Akwanga to Jos through Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states.

n

Speaking during the event, Tinubu described the superhighway as more than a road project, saying it would serve as a major economic and social artery for millions of Nigerians.

n

“I feel highly delighted, believe me, highly delighted to be here today to commence the construction and flag off of the fourth Legacy Project of the Renewed Hope Agenda. This project, the construction of the Akwanga-Kaduna-Jos-Bauchi-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway, is a critical component of the Federal Government’s road infrastructure development programme aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety and stimulating socio-economic activities along the corridor,” he said.

n

According to him, the entire superhighway covers about 700 kilometres and cuts across several strategic routes including Akwanga-Jos, Jos-Bauchi, Bauchi-Gombe, Gombe-Biu and Biu-Maiduguri.

n

The President noted that the road was not merely about connecting cities but about linking people, markets and opportunities.

n

“These are not just names of routes. They are communities. They are markets. They are villages. They are state capitals. They are security passages and gateways into one of Nigeria’s most important regions.

n

“They are distances connecting communities and cities through one of the most important inland passages in the country. These roads are about people and about development. They are about creating opportunities and opening up the economy,” he stated.

n

Tinubu disclosed that work had already commenced on the Gombe-Maiduguri axis of the project and assured Nigerians that the remaining sections would soon be procured and awarded.

n

He also used the occasion to provide updates on other major road projects across the country, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route.

n

According to him, Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos has been substantially completed, while Section Two in Ogun State has attained 60 per cent completion.

n

He added that Sections 3A and 3B in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have reached 20 per cent completion, while Sections 4A and 4B in Akwa Ibom are at five per cent completion.

n

The president also disclosed that work on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is progressing steadily, with Section One in Sokoto reaching 40 per cent completion and Section Two in Kebbi attaining 60 per cent completion.

n

“Let me assure you that with God on our side, we shall complete these projects and deploy them for the benefit of the economic revolution of our country. These roads shall be done and will be successful,” he assured.

n

Tinubu further revealed that the North-Central zone currently has the highest number of ongoing federal road projects in the country.

n

“North-Central alone has the highest number of projects in the country. We have 35 major projects, with five already completed and 30 ongoing. We also have 61 emergency intervention projects across the zone, the highest in the country, and most of them have already been completed,” he said.

n

The president directed governors and relevant authorities in states where the legacy projects pass through to establish setback plans for future road expansion and infrastructure development.

n

He also urged contractors to engage youths in host communities by creating jobs and transferring skills.

n

“Please do not just be contractors; be our development partners. Train our youths, transfer talents, build skills and create jobs in the communities. Ensure that our young people are part and parcel of the opportunities that these projects will create,” he said.

n

On his part, Umahi announced that Tinubu had approved the immediate release of N111bn to the contractor handling the project to enable immediate mobilisation to the site.

n

“To the glory of God, you will not stop this project. Let me announce that the President has approved the immediate release of N111bn to this contractor for take-off.

n

“While I was here, the Minister of Finance sent me a letter and said, ‘Please give us the original documents of the President’s approval so that we can pay.’ Therefore, the contractor is going to be paid this week,” Umahi said.

n

The minister described the Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway as a defining infrastructure project that would physically and economically unite the country, saying Tinubu’s four legacy road projects were unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.

n

According to him, the 700-kilometre corridor, which stretches from Akwanga through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu to Maiduguri, is designed to seamlessly connect with other major highways being constructed across the country, creating a nationwide transport network.

n

He stated, “This is Section One of the fourth Legacy Project of Mr President. Three weeks ago, we were in Gombe State where we flagged off Section Two of this route. The entire stretch is 700 kilometres, taking off from Akwanga, passing through Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu to Maiduguri.

n

“The story here is that the four legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu are connecting the six geopolitical zones of this country. What a fair President. The entire four legacy projects are connected. You can start from one point in Nigeria and travel seamlessly to another. No other administration ever attempted this. This is magical and this is miraculous.”

n

Umahi said the road projects represented more than the construction of highways, noting that they would reduce travel time, boost trade, improve security and drive economic growth.

n

“When one distance to the other is shortened, when Nasarawa is very close to Ebonyi, when Ebonyi is very close to Cross River, when Cross River is close to Sokoto, then that is the GDP that we are looking at. Infrastructure is what grows every other sector of the economy. When roads are cut off and people cannot move from one point to another, it is like they are in prison.”

n

Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government would finance only 30 per cent of the project directly, while the remaining 70 per cent would come through foreign financing arrangements, urging capable contractors to partner with the government on other sections yet to be awarded.

n

“We are asking contractors that have the ability because 30 per cent is being funded by the Federal Government while 70 per cent is going to come from foreign loans. If you have the ability to source foreign financing, please come. We still have many sections to give out, provided you are competitive.”

n

The minister also reiterated his administration’s decision to prioritise reinforced concrete technology for federal highways, arguing that several asphalt roads across the country had deteriorated prematurely.

n

The minister stated, “I have outlawed the use of asphalt in the Ministry of Works. It can only be the President Bola Tinubu reinforced concrete technology. We have seen roads that did not last up to three years before they failed completely. That is why we are insisting on concrete pavement technology that can stand the test of time.”

n

He urged contractors to go beyond executing projects and become partners in community development by creating jobs and transferring skills to young Nigerians living along the project corridors.

n

“Contractors should not just come and build roads and leave. They should train our youths, transfer skills, create jobs and build economies around these communities so that our people can directly benefit from these projects,” he noted.

n

Praising Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development, Umahi described the President as an “infrastructure guru” whose road revolution was transforming every region of the country.

n

He noted, “I am so lucky to have a President who is an infrastructure guru. Nigerians are taking note of the great work the President is doing. The President is connecting the entire country and laying the foundation for economic growth and national integration.”

n

The Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway is the fourth of Tinubu’s Legacy Projects, following the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

n

The Section 1, Phase 1 is a 125km stretch spanning from Akwanga to Jos as a part of the larger 700km Akwanga Maiduguri Superhighway cutting across 5 North Eastern States of the Country as follows; Akwanga Jos (125km), Jos – Bauchi (100km), Bauchi – Gombe (162km), Gombe Biu (125km), and Biu – Maiduguri (188km).

n

The project will provide a 12-metre-wide carriageway constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement technology, reinforced with 20mm and 16mm high-tensile steel, in accordance with the approved engineering design and specifications.

n

It also includes the construction of comprehensive drainage infrastructure, bridges and other hydraulic

n

It is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve trade and logistics, enhance national integration and stimulate economic activities in communities along the corridors.

n

The latest approval of N111bn for the commencement of the Akwanga-Jos section marks one of the largest mobilisation releases for a federal road project under the current administration and underscores the government’s determination to accelerate the execution of its ambitious infrastructure agenda.

n n