The flag-off of the construction work on the 24.5km road that will link the strategic local government areas of Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon in Nasarawa State has further reinforced Governor Abdullahi Sule‘s commitment to improving rural connectivity and ensuring infrastructure sustainability in Nasarawa State. Our correspondent, AHMED TAHIR, reports.
It was a brief ceremony but with a far-reaching impact. The expected impact is mirrored in the mood of the people of the benefiting communities across two historical local government areas that have historically shared a common bond.
In muting the idea for the construction of the 24.5km Wamba—Waiyo—Dengi—Allizaga Hill, which will come into fruition on August 1, 2025, Governor Abdullahi Sule revived the fading memory of communality and shared purpose that binds the people of Wamba and Nassarawa Eggon local government areas together.
Centerfield Engineering Limited was awarded the contract for the road. As expected, the ceremony brought together leaders across the Nasarawa North geopolitical zone, irrespective of political party affiliations, in shared harmony because of the link road‘s strategic importance to the area‘s economic development and its longstanding history of fostering inter-community peace.
Governor Sule stressed the significance of the road. In his speech during the flag-off, he noted that when eventually completed, it would serve as a vital economic corridor, connecting communities and boosting agriculture, commerce, and mobility in the area.
Unarguably, both the Wamba, Nassarawa Eggon, and Akwanga local government areas are major agricultural hubs in the state. Analysts predict the road will create access to many rural areas and urban markets.
According to the governor, the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led administration in the state recognised the significance of opening up rural roads, as it enabled the transportation of agricultural produce and other economic commodities from remote parts to markets in urban centres.
„This is why our administration over the last six years has continued to construct rural roads in order to actualise our dream of opening vistas of opportunities for rural dwellers.
„In particular, we have constructed rural roads in most of our rural areas to create interconnectivity among our communities with proven potential for socio-economic development,“ he explained.
Stakeholders from the zone, including Oriye Rindre Justice Lawal Musa Nagogo, the Aren Eggon, Justice Ahmed Ubangari (rtrd), and the traditional rulers of Wmaba and Nassarawa Eggon, in their various submissions, were unanimous that the road will unlock economic potential and ease movement by bringing farmers, traders, and youths closer to opportunities.
A visibly elated Hon. Ezekiel Jaga, chairman of Wamba local government area, described the project as a game changer, in the kind of transformation the zone desperately sought.
„This is the kind of development our people long yearned for, and under your administration, it is becoming a reality. The significance of this flag-off speaks of a governor who listens, acts, and is always committed to deliver,“ he noted.
However, Governor Sule said during his administration‘s last lap, the 24.5km Wamba-Waiyo-Dengi-Allizaga Hill is one of many rural roads earmarked for construction. He revealed that the road from Nassarawa Eggon to Arikya is one of the projects lined up for intervention.
He noted that to fast-track the work on the Wamba-Nassarawa Eggon project, work would begin simultaneously from both ends.
„We have asked the contractor to start work from both ends to enable us to finish the road in time so that we can continue with the road from Nassarawa Eggon to Arikya, as we are committed as far as road infrastructure is concerned,“ he explained.
He reiterated his administration‘s commitment to providing infrastructural development for the state‘s socio-economic development.
„The construction of this road is a testament to our resolve to leave no community behind in our development endeavour to ensure that development reaches the grassroots. It is our desire that we have a prosperous, secure and connected Nasarawa State,“ he stated.
The governor urged the contractor handling the project to ensure that its construction is in line with specifications and safety standards.
He appealed to the host communities within the road corridor to cooperate with and support the contractor in executing the project successfully.
„You are expected to protect lives and equipment, as well as maintaining peace while the construction lasts,“ he noted.
