Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has intensified efforts to secure the early commencement and timely completion of major federal road projects in the state, particularly the Gombe-Biu axis of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Super Highway.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya made the fresh push on Monday in Abuja when he met with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, as part of his sustained advocacy for strategic federal interventions in road infrastructure across Gombe State and the North-East.
The meeting focused largely on the Gombe-Biu corridor, which is part of the major super highway recently approved and flagged off by the Federal Government.
The governor has repeatedly advocated the early commencement of the Gombe-Biu section, citing its strategic importance to the economic development of Gombe and the wider North-East.
His efforts culminated in the recent visit of Umahi to Gombe, where the minister joined Governor Inuwa Yahaya and members of the National Assembly at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
Following the groundbreaking, the governor is now seeking sustained momentum towards full-scale construction and timely delivery of the road.
A major component of his latest request is the consideration of Northern and Southern bypasses for Gombe metropolis.
According to the governor, the proposed bypasses would open up the state capital from both ends, provide strategic links to the Gombe-Biu corridor, ease pressure on the existing road network and improve the movement of people and goods.
Responding, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described the Gombe-Biu axis of the super highway as a priority project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Umahi assured Governor Inuwa Yahaya that his request for the project to commence from the proposed point of interest would be duly considered as construction gets underway.
The minister also expressed confidence in the capacity of Hitech Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, describing the firm as one of the most competent contractors for major infrastructure projects.
Beyond the Gombe-Biu road, Umahi commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his persistence and commitment to attracting development projects to the state.
Reflecting on his recent visit to Gombe, the minister said he had developed a deeper appreciation of the scale of development taking place in the state under the present administration.
“Since my visit to Gombe, I have become like your ambassador, anywhere I go I talk about your state and the developmental strides I have witnessed. I tell people, when you want to see genuine development and visionary leadership, go to Gombe,” Umahi said.
The minister assured the governor that the Federal Government would deliver the project, expressing confidence that its completion would significantly benefit residents of Gombe and neighbouring states while further advancing the infrastructure agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Umahi also acknowledged Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s continued advocacy for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of other strategic highways linking Gombe with major economic centres across the North-East.
The roads include the Gombe-Bajoga-Potiskum, Gombe-Dukku-Darazo and Gombe-Bauchi corridors.
For the Gombe State Government, the roads are critical economic lifelines, connecting farmers and producers to markets, communities to commercial centres and the state to neighbouring economic hubs.
The governor’s latest engagement with the Works Minister is expected to further strengthen efforts towards the delivery of the federal road projects, which are seen as crucial to improving connectivity, stimulating trade and unlocking the agricultural, commercial, industrial and tourism potential of Gombe State and the wider North-East.
