…Umahi Described Best, Uncommon Minister In Tinubu’s Cabinet
By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday flagged off the reconstruction of the phase 1 of Section 1 (Akwanga – Jos corridor) of his Renewed Hope administration’s fourth Legacy Project: the 700-kilometre (km) Akwanga – Kaduna – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri Superhighway.
In his speech the President urged the contractors to execute the project according to specifications and to contribute to local capacity development, thus reaffirming the demand made by Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi in his speech earlier urging contractors to employ local youths and help develop their skills while asking host communities to protect the infrastructure.
Speaking during the ceremony, Tinubu who affirmed that the North-central has the largest share of the infrastructure projects going on across the country noted that phase 1 of section 1 of the 4th Legacy Project, covering the 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos section is a key component of the federal government’s road infrastructure development programme.
“Please do not just be contractors; be development partners. Train our youths, transfer skills, create jobs in the communities and ensure that our young people benefit from the opportunities this project will create,” Tinubu said.
On his way to the groundbreaking ceremony for the 700-kilometre Akwanga–Jos–Kaduna–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway,
the president, who was represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also commissioned a 600-metre underpass and a 3.7-kilometre dualised township road network in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, projects executed by the Engineer Abdullahi Sule – led administration.
Tinubu noted that anyone familiar with Akwanga would recognise the significant transformation taking place in the town.
He said, “Anybody who has seen this road before now knows how congested it used to be. The congestion and delays, especially during festive periods, meant it could take hours to pass through this road. The massive work Governor Abdullahi Sule have done within a short period is admirable.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate what you are doing, not just in this town alone. I came through Karu and saw what you are doing there. It is extraordinary.
“You are doing a great job in expanding the road network and providing other essential amenities for the people of this state.”
The President said the projects aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the provision of critical infrastructure across the country.
He described the projects as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s road infrastructure and strengthen Akwanga’s position as a transit hub.
Speaking during the flag-off of Akwanga – Jos corridor as section 1 (1) of the Akwanga – Maiduguri Highway, Governor Sule thanked the president for the commissioning, and disclosed that executed and ongoing projects across the state were being done by his administration without borrowing a dime from financial institutions, due to the good turnover on the reforms being embarked upon.
“These reforms have made it possible for governors like me, who previously received between N3.5 billion and N4 billion monthly as allocation, to now receive between N13 billion and N15 billion monthly.
“That is what has made it possible for us to execute these projects across the state, and we will not relent until the end of our administration in 2027,” .
The governor also expressed confidence that the people of Nasarawa State would reward Tinubu with between 70 and 80 per cent of the votes in the 2027 presidential election in appreciation of his administration’s projects and policies.
In his address earlier, just before the president’s speech, the Minister of Works, Umahi, disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved N111 billion to facilitate the commencement of the project, which will be constructed using concrete pavement with street light.
He thanked the governors of Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe and Borno States for providing the necessary support to enable the federal government to commence the project without hindrance.
According to the minister, the project to be completed in phases would improve transportation and support economic activities across the North-central and North-east regions.
He revealed that the North-central currently has 35 major federal road projects and 61 emergency intervention projects.
During the dignitary-studded event, co-hosted with the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, by the Nasarawa State governor, Engineer A. A. Sule, had governors, present or represented, including Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau; chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Allwell Heacho Onyesoh , his House of Representatives counterpart, Rt Hon. Akin Alabi, and other members of the National Assembly; and traditional rulers in attendance who delivered their goodwill messages, commending the development.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr Adeladan Rafiu Olarinre, and the Minister of State, Rt Hon. Bello Mohammed Goronyo, set the ball rolling in their separate welcome addresses.
Both heads of the two Chambers of the National Assembly, also in their separate remarks, stressed the need for the locals where the road passes to take ownership of the project an ensure the infrastructure when finally put in place is duely protected in reciprocity for the good gesture of the government.
According to them, they would do everything within their legislative powers at the National Assembly to support Mr President’s infrastructure development drive.
On his part, the APC candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who spoke amidst thunderous ovation from the crowd, said what is most important about what President Tinubu is doing is the lesson to learn from it by all, adding that going by the word of experts that the road will last through one hundred years means it is being constructed for the future.
He described Umahi as an uncommon minister, saying that only and extraordinary person can achieve what the minister has achieved on behalf of President Tinubu for Nigerians today in just three years.
He urged saying, “As electorate, do not give your power in votes to those you yet don know. If you are pleased with what the president is doing for you, give your votes to Tinubu. Let your appreciation translate into votes for the president in 2027.
Speaking, the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rtd.), a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, said he told the immediate past president, late Muhammadu Buhari that Tinubu, then aspiring to president, had the capacity to transform the country the way he did in Lagos.
He said President Tinubu made the right choice in Umahi, going by the minister’s performance, even when he served as Ebonyi State governor. “You are the best minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the royal father declared.
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 § North Eastern States of the Country as follows: Akwanga – Jos (125km), Jos — Bauchi (100km) , Bauchi – Gombe (162km), Gombe – Biu (125km), and Biu — Maiduguri (188km).
The above distances connecting communities and Cities from one of the most important inland passages in the country. Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Biu and Maiduguri. These are not just names on a route, they are communities, markets, state capitals, commercial centres, agricultural zones, security passages and a gateway into one of Nigeria’s most important region of the country.
This Section 1, Phase 1 of the road, just flagged off involves the reconstruction of a 125-kilometre stretch between Akwanga and Jos, which has deteriorated beyond routine maintenance.
Recognising the strategic importance of this corridor, the federal government has approved its complete Reconstruction using modern Engineering Technology, according to the brief issued on the project.
