The Federal Government has sanctioned an 8.7-kilometre extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road project, along with the enhancement of the Akwanga–Jos–Gombe–Maiduguri Road corridor, as part of renewed efforts to improve national connectivity and promote economic growth.
During a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed this information, emphasizing the government’s dedication to expanding vital infrastructure throughout the nation, particularly in the Niger Delta and northern areas.
Umahi stated that these approvals align with President Bola Tinubu’s broader directive to expedite essential road projects across the country.
He mentioned that the President had recently instructed the Ministry of Works to add 8.7 kilometres to the Bodo–Bonny Road using reinforced concrete pavement up to the East–West Road, describing this choice as a significant advancement.
The extension will enhance access for coastal communities, foster regional integration, and stimulate economic growth,” Umahi stated, adding that this decision represented the administration’s commitment to maintaining inherited projects and expanding their scope when necessary.
He emphasized that under the current administration, no inherited project has been left behind, pointing out that President Tinubu had commanded the continuation of all ongoing road projects while endorsing extensions deemed essential for national progress. The minister clarified that the government is focusing on durability in road construction by utilizing reinforced concrete technology, which he claimed could ensure a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 years.News: Fubara Decries Substandard Work on Road Project
“Nigerians are entitled to infrastructure that will endure over time and provide value for their investment,” he remarked. Umahi characterized the Akwanga–Jos–Gombe–Maiduguri Road as one of President Tinubu’s significant projects, noting that the President had green-lighted a dual strategy for its completion, with construction commencing simultaneously from both Akwanga and Maiduguri through Gombe and Bauchi.Moreover, the minister raised alarms about the rampant destruction of public infrastructure, cautioning that the damage to road assets represented a major threat to the viability of government investments.
He pointed out examples of damaged facilities, unlawful mining activities near bridges, and the clogging of drainage systems with waste, which he indicated had led to flooding and structural failures in various locations.
“The flooding observed in many areas was primarily caused by obstructed underground channels. People are disposing of rubbish in manholes, which leads to serious repercussions,” Umahi stated.
He called on Nigerians to assume shared responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure, emphasizing that continual repairs caused by vandalism were expensive and not sustainable.
“This infrastructure is a shared asset. If we neglect to protect it, we will keep allocating limited resources to unnecessary repairs,” he cautioned. Umahi reiterated that the Ministry of Works was functioning within its available budget to deliver quality projects with transparency and accountability, while praising President Tinubu for maintaining and enhancing road projects despite financial limitations and the deteriorating state of infrastructure left behind by previous governments.