Gombe Defends InvestMent In Bridges, Underpass

Gombe State government has defended its investment in bridge construction.
It said the projects were driven by the need to improve mobility, ease traffic congestion and connect rural communities rather than serve as prestige developments.

The commissioner for Works, Usman Kallamu Maijama’a, told LEADERSHIP that the ongoing underpass project in Gombe metropolis was necessitated by the construction of the state’s Three Arms Zone, which will accommodate the State Secretariat, House of Assembly and Judiciary Complex.
According to him, bringing thousands of civil servants, lawmakers and judicial workers into one location would certainly increase traffic, making the underpass essential.

“The underpass is being constructed to ease movement and reduce the traffic congestion we expect when the Three Arms Zone becomes fully operational,” Kallamu said.

He explained that government offices are currently scattered across the city, making coordination difficult and increasing operational costs, adding that the new government district is intended to improve efficiency.

The Commissioner said the underpass is about 60–65 per cent complete and expressed confidence that it, alongside the Three Arms Zone projects, would be completed before January 2027.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Gombe State Government approved N31.5 billion in 2025 for the construction of the underpass bridge and 18.1 kilometres of connecting road networks within the Gombe metropolis to Triacta Nigeria Ltd.

Beyond the underpass, Kallamu described bridge construction across the state as a priority because many communities become inaccessible during the rainy season due to rivers, gullies and the absence of bridges and culverts.

He said improved connectivity enables farmers to transport produce to markets, enhances access to healthcare and education, and strengthens economic activities.

“If there is no bridge, people can remain stranded for hours or even a day. A pregnant woman needing emergency care may not reach a hospital, while farmers cannot move their produce,” he said.

The Commissioner cited the road linking Bambam and Talasse in Balanga Local Government Area as an example of infrastructure that has drastically reduced travel time and improved access between communities.