The Federal Government has commissioned the first section of the Akwanga-Kaduna-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway, with President Bola Tinubu saying the project is part of his administration’s legacy infrastructure agenda.
Naijaonpoint understands that the first phase of the project covers 125 kilometres and will run through Akwanga, Kaduna and Jos, forming part of the larger 700-kilometre Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway expected to cut across several states in the North-East.
Speaking on Saturday at the flag-off ceremony in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Tinubu said the road would strengthen connectivity, boost commerce, improve security movement and open up communities along the corridor.
The President, who was represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the project was one of the four legacy road projects designed by his administration to link major parts of the country.
Tinubu said the route was not merely a stretch of road, but a strategic economic and security corridor connecting several communities and state capitals.
He said, “Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Biu and Maiduguri. These are not just names on a route, they are communities, markets, state capitals, commercial centres, agricultural zones, security passages and a gateway into one of Nigeria’s most important regions of the country.
“Recognising the strategic importance of this corridor, the Federal Government has approved its complete reconstruction using modern engineering technology.”
The President noted that one of the major features of the project was the adoption of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement technology, which he said would ensure durability and reduce frequent road failures.
“The project will provide a 12-metre-wide carriageway constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement technology, reinforced with 20mm and 16mm high-tensile steel, in accordance with the approved engineering design and specifications.
“It also includes the construction of comprehensive drainage infrastructure, bridges and other hydraulics,” he added.
Tinubu also disclosed that mobilisation had already commenced for the construction of the Gombe section towards Maiduguri.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the superhighway would be funded through a 70 per cent foreign financing arrangement and 30 per cent counterpart funding from the Federal Government.
Although the minister did not disclose the total cost of the project, he said ₦111 billion had been approved as take-off mobilisation to site.
Umahi added that the project would be handled by China Geo-Engineering Corporation.
The minister also said Nigeria would gradually stop the use of asphalt for major road projects, arguing that many roads constructed with asphalt had failed easily over time.
In his remarks, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, thanked Tinubu for approving the road project, describing it as a major intervention that would benefit the state and the wider northern region.
Sule said the President’s economic reforms had increased allocations to states, enabling them to fund capital projects without excessive borrowing.
He said, “Before, we used to get ₦3.5 billion from FAAC every month, but now we get over ₦13 billion. This has led us to provide necessary infrastructure, and we are doing it without borrowing from any institution to carry out the projects.”
The governor said the road, when completed, would enhance the movement of goods and people, support agricultural activities and deepen economic integration across the affected states.
