APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda inspects Akwanga-Jos-Gombe road project

…. Commends construction firm for quality of work so far

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has on Saturday inspected the ongoing construction of the Akwanga, Jos and Gombe section of the Trans-Sahara Superhighway.

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The project aims to create a concrete road projected to last over a century, significantly enhancing connectivity across the nation.

Originally constructed around 1972, the Akwanga-Jos road had not undergone substantial rehabilitation in over 55 years, leading to numerous patch jobs over the decades.

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Prof. Yilwatda while Speaking with Journalists during the inspection emphasized the importance of this new construction, stating, “We are targeting a lifespan of over 100 years before there will be a need to consider maintaining or repairing it again. That is how you build a lasting legacy.”

“The road is part of a larger initiative that spans from Calabar through states such as Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, and Abuja, eventually reaching Jos. The Trans-Sahara Superhighway aims to connect various regions, covering over 1,400 kilometers and linking the South-South, South-East, North-Central, and North-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria”

Prof. Yilwatda noted that this construction marks a significant advancement in infrastructure, stating, “This is one of the most significant impacts any government has made on the people in these communities. Today, under the Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu we have a project with hundreds of billions of naira committed to it.”

“Beyond just improving transportation, the Akwanga-Jos road project is designed to enhance security and community welfare. The road will feature traffic lights, surveillance cameras, police stations, and clinics, all strategically placed along the route to improve safety and healthcare access. This is not just a road; this is connecting communities. This is connecting customers, connecting markets, connecting people, improving security”

The National APC Chairman said the Akwanga-Jos road project will incorporate 24-hour intelligent surveillance cameras, continuous lighting, dedicated police outposts and emergency trauma clinics as part of measures to strengthen security along the strategic corridor.

He added that the security components were designed to protect travellers, monitor criminal activities and facilitate rapid response to emergencies along the corridor.

He said the security infrastructure would include 24-hour intelligent surveillance cameras capable of monitoring vehicle movements and helping security agencies track criminal networks operating along the route.

“It is living proof of what the Renewed Hope agenda stands for, and it is precisely why Nigerians will continue to stand firmly behind President Tinubu,” he said.

Yilwatda said the Akwanga-Jos corridor, which forms part of the larger superhighway linking major cities in the North, had suffered decades of inadequate attention before the present administration commenced its reconstruction.

“For over five decades, since the days of the late Joseph Gomwalk around 1972, this corridor witnessed only piecemeal patching,” he said.

“Communities along the Nasarawa-Plateau axis rarely saw federal capital projects running into even N10 billion. Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has committed hundreds of billions of naira to build an infrastructure asset designed to endure for over a century.”

The Federal Ministry of Works had earlier described the Akwanga-Jos section as a 125-kilometre stretch of the larger Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri superhighway and said the project was designed to improve connectivity, security and economic activity across the North-Central and North-East.

Yilwatda said the use of rigid concrete pavement technology would provide durable infrastructure capable of serving the region for generations, rather than the short-term repairs that had characterised the corridor.

He also described the infrastructure projects being executed by the Tinubu administration as an “unbeatable campaign asset” for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying Nigerians would be able to assess the government through projects delivered on the ground.

Briefing the APC chairman during the inspection, the project’s Equipment Coordinator and Public Relations officer Engr. James Baba, said heavy construction equipment had been mobilised to the Jos axis following directives from the Federal Ministry of Works.

Baba said the contractor was working to complete at least 10 kilometres of road formation before Christmas, while another 30 kilometres was expected to be delivered next year.

While provided an update on the construction progress, highlighting that the test running of the rigid pavement has commenced, with approximately 400 meters already completed.

“Our target this year is to cover about 10 kilometers of earthwork before Christmas,” Baba stated.

He expressed optimism about meeting these goals, assuring that the project will adhere to the highest standards of quality.

The decision to use cement concrete instead of asphalt was based on specifications from the Federal Ministry of Works, aimed at ensuring the road’s durability.

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