Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the reconstruction and dualisation of the 125-kilometre Gombe-Biu highway, describing the project as the fulfilment of a longstanding commitment to the North-East.
Ndume said the N1.245 trillion project, flagged off on Thursday in Gombe State, would improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities and strengthen regional development across the North-East.
In a statement, the Borno South senator praised Tinubu and Minister of Works, David Umahi, for delivering on promises to rehabilitate the road, which he said had remained in poor condition despite repeated appeals under previous administrations.
He recalled raising concerns about the highway with former and current ministers of works, stressing its importance to economic integration, security operations and interstate mobility.
According to him, the project was eventually approved under the federal tax credit and infrastructure intervention framework and included among strategic road projects financed through NNPC tax liabilities arrangements.
Ndume described the road as a vital economic and social corridor linking the North-East to other parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
While appreciating the project, he appealed to the Federal Government to extend the road network beyond Biu to Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala and Yola to further enhance trade and support security operations.
He added that improved road infrastructure would help tackle insecurity by reducing opportunities for criminal elements to exploit poor road conditions.
Deji Elumoye
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