Senate Lauds Tinubu for Approving Dualisation of Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road

The Senate has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the dualisation of the long-abandoned Akwanga (Nasarawa State)–Jos (Plateau)–Bauchi–Gombe highway, nearly four decades after the project was first conceived.

The commendation followed a point of order raised during plenary by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who said the approval marked a major intervention in addressing years of neglect suffered by communities along the strategic corridor.

Ningi recalled that the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, had announced last week that the Federal Government had awarded the contract for the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe road.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker noted that the highway, which cuts across several states in the North-Central and North-East, had remained the only major federal corridor in the country without a dual carriageway.

“Mr President, as representatives of the people and on behalf of senators from Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Adamawa, we emphatically thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for providing this road,” Ningi said.

“This is a road we have waited for almost four decades. Over the last 40 years, the Nigerian nation seems to have forgotten the people of Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa,” he added.

He further reminded the chamber of the historical contributions of the region to the country, saying, “We want to remind Nigerians that the first Prime Minister of Nigeria comes from Bauchi, while the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, comes from Plateau. At the time they served, they were not biased; they worked for Nigeria.”

Ningi stressed that the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe route was the only remaining corridor in Nigeria without a dual carriageway, and urged lawmakers to ensure sustained legislative support for the project.

“So, I would like to thank the President, thank Minister Umahi, and also thank the Senate because there will be provisions that the Senate will make through funding,” he said.

The Bauchi lawmaker called on the Senate Committees on Works and Finance to closely monitor the project and ensure adequate funding to guarantee its timely completion.

Also contributing, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe) applauded President Tinubu for responding to long-standing appeals from residents of the region.

“We have to praise the President. We want to thank him for listening to the plight and complaints of our people. I hope after this one, it will proceed from Gombe to Maiduguri,” Goje said.

The Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe highway serves as a major link between the North-Central and North-East regions and has long been associated with frequent accidents, economic losses and security challenges due to its dilapidated condition.