FG inaugurates reconstructed Gombe-Yola Highway

The federal government has inaugurated the 66.10 kilometres Phase I of the newly reconstructed Gombe-Yola highway project.

The inauguration ceremony was performed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area of the state.

• Nigeria needs more of humaneness than it needs religion to succeed – Cleric
• Gombe gov threatens ‘no-work-no-pay’ at state-owned varsity

He said the reconstruction work was awarded in 2014 but couldn’t commence until 2015, when technical issues associated with the project were fixed, which allowed the constructors to commence work.

Pantami added that the project was supposed to have been completed in 2019, “but insufficient budgetary provision and release of funds, as well as COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult at the stipulated time.”

The minister urged residents of the state and motorists plying the road to protect and take ownership of the project.

On his part, Director of Highways at the Federal Ministry of Works, Celestine Shausu, said the road was one of the sixth of the second phase of road projects completed and handed over to six states.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the road was inaugurated as a commitment and fulfillment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s promise to provide Nigerians with basic amenities and make life easier.

He appealed for the timely completion of Numan-Jalingo Road, which he described as a nightmare for travellers.