Former Senate Leader urges extension of road network to Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala and Yola to deepen regional connectivity and bolster security operations
By: Ganiyu Olayinka
Credit: Kwaro1(Wikimedia Commons)
Project value ₦1.245tr Highway length 125 km Corridor Gombe–Biu
Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the reconstruction and dualisation of the 125-kilometre Gombe–Biu highway, describing the project as a major infrastructure intervention that will boost economic activities, enhance security and improve regional integration in the Northeast.
The N1.245 trillion project was officially flagged off at Liji in Gombe State at a ceremony attended by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Minister of Works David Umahi, and the Managing Director of Hi-Tech Construction Company, Danny Abboud.
In a statement personally signed by him, Ndume praised Tinubu and Umahi for fulfilling their commitment to rehabilitate the strategic road corridor, which he said had suffered years of neglect despite its importance to the socio-economic development of the region.
“I want to appreciate Mr President for listening to my calls. It is a laudable project that will unlock economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.”
A long road to approval
The lawmaker recalled his repeated efforts under previous administrations to draw attention to the deplorable condition of the highway, noting that his appeals had yielded little success until the current administration intervened. He raised concerns with former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola in 2019, stressing the route’s significance to economic integration, interstate mobility, security operations and regional development.
Ndume renewed the call in July 2021 during discussions on national infrastructure financing, including projects linked to the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he advocated the inclusion of the Biu–Gombe corridor among priority federal road projects.
His engagement with Umahi earlier this year, during which he expressed concern over the exclusion of the Biu–Damboa–Maiduguri corridor from the Federal Government’s 2026 Legacy Projects, eventually contributed to the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the project. It was subsequently captured under strategic national road interventions financed through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s tax credit arrangement.
Call for further expansion
The senator appealed to the Federal Government to extend the road network beyond Biu to Maiduguri, Monguno and Ngala in Borno State, as well as Yola in Adamawa State, arguing that such an expansion would deepen regional connectivity, facilitate cross-border trade and strengthen security operations in areas affected by insurgency.
“Those are very critical roads that go down to the border and will also promote inter-country trade. They will equally help in the fight against insurgency because criminals often take advantage of bad roads to block highways and abduct travellers,” he said.
Ndume expressed confidence that sustained commitment to road development would accelerate economic growth, improve access to markets and social services, and contribute significantly to lasting peace and stability across the region.
Tags: #Ali Ndume #Gombe – Biu #Infrastructure #NNPC tax credit