RESTORING MOBILITY THROUGH EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS ON BAUCHI-GOMBE-BILLIRI-CHAM ROAD To address nationwide infrastructure challenges, the Federal Ministry of Works commissioned key Emergency/Special Intervention Projects along the Bauchi–Gombe and Gombe–Cham corridors on Wednesday, 11 February, 2026, in Gombe State. As part of a nationwide media tour under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, these initiatives are among the 260 Emergency/Special Intervention Projects launched at the administration's inception in May, 2023, to restore critically damaged portions of federal highways across the country. When the administration came into office, it inherited 2,064 ongoing projects with a debt overhang of over ₦13 trillion. In view of this fiscal burden and, most especially, the paucity of funds, priority was given to roads whose conditions had deteriorated to the point of near-total collapse or had already collapsed, to restore motorability, enhance safety, and facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services. On the alignment, a critical corridor linking Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa States, emergency works were executed in two complementary components: 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 socioeconomic activities. With the completion of the works, the carriageway has been strengthened, and riding quality significantly improved, while reinstated shoulders now allow motorists to park safely off the main carriageway, reducing obstruction and risk of accidents. The Federal Controller of Works, Gombe State, Engr. Mohammed Jahun stated that the project was completed and has restored the safety and durability of the route, observing that traffic flow has improved considerably as a result of the intervention. Commending the Federal Government’s efforts, Comrade Faruk Mu'azu, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Chapter, described the rehabilitation as timely and impactful. “If you can recall vividly, this road before now was not motorable, but now, with the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works, movement is free and without hitches”, he said. Comrade Mu’azu commissioned the project, as a representative of the Honourable Minister. He also extended a profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his approval of the award of a contract for the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe road. He emphasised that the expansion of the highway would significantly ease movement between the North Central, and North-East zones and serve as an enabler of growth. Also commissioned by the NUJ Chairman was the Reinstatement of Failed Shoulders along the Gombe Bypass. The contract, completed within 3 months, covered 1.5km of road and 910m of drainage. Road users and residents, alike, eulogise the President for being proactive, heaving a sign of relief for alleviating their long-term suffering. Another strategic and vital corridor, is the Gombe–Billiri–Cham Road, linking Gombe and Adamawa States. Three failed bridges along that stretch were singled out for urgent rehabilitation under the Emergency/Special Intervention due to safety concerns, particularly nighttime traveling. 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. The Federal Controller explained that the rehabilitation has eliminated previous hazards associated with the bridges, improving structural integrity and ensuring safer passage for road users. The commissioning of these projects was done by the Chairman of the Gombe State Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Hudu Shehu, as he officially handed them over for public use, on behalf of the Minister. He prayed that the road would serve the interests of humanity, whilst contributing to the common good of the people.  The Bauchi–Gombe component also forms part of the approved 4th Renewed Hope Legacy Road Project for dualisation from Akwanga through Jos to Bauchi and terminating in Gombe. Others are the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, and the Calabar–Abuja Highway, designed on continuous reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) technology with street lights and rail lines to enhance connectivity across all six (6) geopolitical zones of the country.   ...

FG PUSHES AHEAD WITH STRATEGIC ROAD PROJECTS IN BORNO DESPITE SECURITY CHALLENGES The Federal Ministry of Works has restated its avowed intention to rehabilitate the Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State, as work progresses steadily despite prevailing security and logistical challenges. As the nationwide media tour of the North East Zone continues, the Federal Controller of Works in the State, Engr. Salihu Adamu assured Nigerians that the project will be completed despite persistent security and logistical constraints. “The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this has forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials,” he stated, while addressing the media at the project site in Maiduguri. The project was initially awarded in 2018 to QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion, traversing 105.6 kilometres. Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the project was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders, bringing the current contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect prevailing realities and enhanced engineering specifications. Phase 1 of the project covers 30 kilometres. Significant progress has been recorded, with approximately 5.8 kilometres completed up to binder course level and about 8 kilometres of stone base executed. Clearance works have also extended beyond 15 kilometres, while shoulder construction is ongoing, in line with the Ministry’s revised policy, which replaces surface dressing with asphaltic concrete shoulders to provide stronger structural protection for the carriageway and enhanced pavement durability. As security remains the major constraint on the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor, Borno State continues to operate under emergency conditions, with base and sub-base laterite sourced from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border (about 150 km away). And stone materials hauled from as far as Shira town in Bauchi State (approximately 450 km) due to restricted access and security considerations like the ban on the blasting of rocks in the state. The Project Manager for the company, Engr. Bukar Kadai, confirmed that the contractor remains fully mobilised on site with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously, while asphalt laying is scheduled to commence following the delivery of bitumen to the site, soon. Also speaking on the same project, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr. Mohammed Shettima expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the rehabilitation will ease transportation challenges for residents and road users. In another vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna, inaugurated the completed Limited Rehabilitation of Kaga–Gubio Road, Sections I and II outside Benisheik Town, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE. He described the road as a strategic one for economic empowerment and social inclusion. He stated, “Roads are a means of empowering the people. This road connecting to Benisheik, which serves as a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe state, is a very positive development.” He further urged the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms and national development efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The FCW described the Kaga–Gubio Road as a critical intervention, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce into Maiduguri and other parts of the zone, strengthening commercial activities within the corridor. He explained that the project forms part of a broader emergency and special works designed to safeguard existing infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic stability in areas facing security challenges.   ...

FG ASSURES TIMELY COMPLETION OF ₦75.47BN POTISKUM–JAKUSKO–GASHUA ROAD, COMMISSIONS PROJECTS IN YOBE. The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has assured the people of Yobe State of the timely completion of key federal road projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The interventions aim to restore failed roads, improve access, and support economic and social activities across the state and its neighbours. As part of a national media tour of federal roads and the commissioning of emergency/special intervention projects, Yobe State’s version was held on Monday, 9 February 2026. It was led by the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Yobe State, Engr. Nasir Dauda, and included officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Damaturu Branch, contractors, community leaders, and members of the media. At the rehabilitation site of the Potiskum–Jakusko–Gashua road, section I, Engr. Dauda assured residents of the timely completion of the ₦75.47 billion project. He stated that the road was awarded in 2024 to Messrs JRB Construction Limited, with a scheduled completion date of 14 May, 2026.  The project covers 79.4 kilometres and is being constructed on continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). He explained that work commenced from Chainage 49, identified as the most critical section of the road due to erosion and flooding challenges. The Project Manager, Engr. Kabir Fatai confirmed that over 1.5 kilometres of the pavement have already been completed, with work prioritised on vulnerable sections ahead of the rainy season. The Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Damaturu Branch, Engr. Mustapha Abdullahi described the choice of rigid pavement as appropriate and confirmed that tests showed a pavement thickness of 200 millimetres. He noted that the project will boost economic activities, reduce road accidents, and significantly shorten travel time. The inspection team also commissioned an emergency road project at the College of Administration, Management and Technology (CAMTECH), Potiskum. The FCW stated that the 490-metre access road was executed to ease movement for staff and students and was completed within three months. He added that the intervention reflects the Federal Government’s concern for the well-being of students. The Rector of the Institution, Mallam Ibrahim Bomai Zarma, thanked the Federal Government for the project, describing the road as being built to standard, and appealed for additional intervention projects. The Chairman, NSE observed that the road will significantly improve transportation within the institution and support academic activities. Two (2) additional projects were commissioned in Potiskum town: the CABS/Graveyard Road and the Limited Rehabilitation of Hayin Gada Road. These projects form part of the Federal Government’s 260 Emergency and Special Intervention projects nationwide. The roads were delivered to restore access, improve safety, and ease movement within the communities and their neighbours. The completed projects in Potiskum were commissioned, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, by the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Council, Mr. Usman Mohammed. He commended the Federal Government for its well-thought-out and timely interventions in the state. The Representative of the Minister further commissioned the 8.8-kilometre Damagum–Gubana Road, which Engr. Dauda disclosed was contracted to Messrs Petropan Energy Limited at the cost of ₦1.49 billion and completed within one year. He explained that the road links several agrarian communities and has tremendously improved the transportation of farm produce. The Yerima of Fune and District Head of Damagum, Alhaji Idris Mai Saleh, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, agreeing that the road will ease the movement of goods and support local livelihoods. Engr. Abdullahi confirmed that the project meets engineering standards and will further stimulate economic activities. The Vice Chairman also commissioned the road on behalf of the Honourable Minister. Another project inspected was the Kaleyeri–Damaturu Road, a 54.5-kilometre federal highway awarded in 2019 to Messrs Ric Rock Construction Limited. The Controller confirmed that the contractor has returned fully to the site. The Project Engineer, Engr. Ayodele Ajibogi disclosed that earthworks are ongoing in two sections, with three kilometres of binder course completed. He assured that the project will be delivered as scheduled.   ...