FG releases N111bn for Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway

The federal government has commissioned the first section of the Akwanga – Kaduna Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Biu Maiduguri Superhighway. The first phase which is a total of 125 kilometers will  crisscross Akwanga, Kaduna and Jos as a part of the larger 700km Akwanga – Maiduguri Superhighway cutting across North Eastern States. Speaking […]

The federal government has commissioned the first section of the Akwanga – Kaduna Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Biu Maiduguri Superhighway.

The first phase which is a total of 125 kilometers will  crisscross Akwanga, Kaduna and Jos as a part of the larger 700km Akwanga – Maiduguri Superhighway cutting across North Eastern States.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the road is part of his four legacy road projects that will connect all parts of the country. 

Represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the president said his road projects are aimed to connect communities and cities from one of the most important inland passages in the country. 

“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 region of the country. Recognising the strategic importance of this corridor, the federal government has approved its complete reconstruction using modern rngineering technology.”

He added that one of the defining features of the project is the adoption of the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology. 

“The project will provide a 12-metre-wide carriageway constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) 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 that the government has already commenced mobilisation of the construction of the Gombe section towards Maiduguri.

On his part, the Minister of Works,  Sen. David Umahi, said the project will be funded through 70 percent foreign finance and 30 percent from the federal government.

While he did not state how much the project will cost, he said N111bn has been approved as take-off for mobilisation to site and will be constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC).

He also announced that the country will stop the use of asphalt as most roads constructed using the technology often fail easily.

The Governor of Nasarawa State,  Engr. Abdullahi Sule, thanked the president for approving the road.

He said the president’s reforms have led to more money to finance capital projects for state governments. 

“Before, we used to get N3.5bn from FAAC every month but now we get over N13bn. This has led us to provide necessary infrastructures and we are doing it without borrowing from any institution to carry out the projects.”