Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Saturday inaugurated the newly completed 5.2-kilometre Akwanga-Jos bypass in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA).
Sule, speaking at the inauguration in Akwanga, said the project was a strategic intervention aimed at decongesting the town and boosting economic activities along the corridor.
He said the bypass would reduce travel time for motorists travelling from Keffi or Gudi towards Jos, while reducing pressure on township roads and curbing accidents in the town.
“This is more than a road. It is an economic corridor.
“For years, our people in Akwanga have suffered traffic gridlock and accidents because all vehicles going towards Jos must pass through the heart of the town.
“Today, we have provided an alternative route that will bring relief to our people and open up new areas for development,” he said.
The governor said the bypass was constructed to the same standard as the federal highway to withstand heavy-duty vehicles.
He also promised to install solar street lights along the road to improve visibility and safety for motorists at night.
Sule commended the contractor for completing the project on schedule and according to specifications.
He assured residents that his administration would sustain its commitment to the construction and rehabilitation of urban and rural roads across the 13 LGAs of the state.
The governor also inaugurated one-kilometre road constructed by the chairmen of Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba LGAs.
Speaking separately, council chairmen of Akwanga, Sadiyanu Isa-Andaha, Nassarawa Eggon, Ilita Aliyu, and Ezekiel Jaga of Wamba respectively, commended Sule for granting autonomy to the local councils.
They said that the free hands given by the governor had enabled them to embark on several projects with some already completed while others were at various levels of completion.
They pledged to execute more projects that would have direct impact on the lives of residents at the grassroots, in addition to the efforts of the state and Federal Governments.
Also speaking, Mr Yakubu Kwanta, the state Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, said the bypass would stimulate the development of new settlements and commercial activities along the corridor.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of the area, Mr Samson Gamu-Yare, the Chun Mada, commended the governor for the intervention, saying the bypass would ease the challenges faced daily by motorists and residents in Akwanga.
“Our town is a gateway to the North-East and Plateau. This bypass will save lives and bring more development closer to our people. We are grateful,” he said.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Sen. Danladi Halilu-Envuluanza, traditional rulers; commissioners, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and residents of the area.
