FG PUSHES AHEAD WITH STRATEGIC ROAD PROJECTS IN BORNO DESPITE SECURITY CHALLENGES The Federal Ministry of Works has restated its avowed intention to rehabilitate the Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State, as work progresses steadily despite prevailing security and logistical challenges. As the nationwide media tour of the North East Zone continues, the Federal Controller of Works in the State, Engr. Salihu Adamu assured Nigerians that the project will be completed despite persistent security and logistical constraints. “The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this has forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials,” he stated, while addressing the media at the project site in Maiduguri. The project was initially awarded in 2018 to QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion, traversing 105.6 kilometres. Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the project was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders, bringing the current contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect prevailing realities and enhanced engineering specifications. Phase 1 of the project covers 30 kilometres. Significant progress has been recorded, with approximately 5.8 kilometres completed up to binder course level and about 8 kilometres of stone base executed. Clearance works have also extended beyond 15 kilometres, while shoulder construction is ongoing, in line with the Ministry’s revised policy, which replaces surface dressing with asphaltic concrete shoulders to provide stronger structural protection for the carriageway and enhanced pavement durability. As security remains the major constraint on the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor, Borno State continues to operate under emergency conditions, with base and sub-base laterite sourced from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border (about 150 km away). And stone materials hauled from as far as Shira town in Bauchi State (approximately 450 km) due to restricted access and security considerations like the ban on the blasting of rocks in the state. The Project Manager for the company, Engr. Bukar Kadai, confirmed that the contractor remains fully mobilised on site with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously, while asphalt laying is scheduled to commence following the delivery of bitumen to the site, soon. Also speaking on the same project, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr. Mohammed Shettima expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the rehabilitation will ease transportation challenges for residents and road users. In another vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna, inaugurated the completed Limited Rehabilitation of Kaga–Gubio Road, Sections I and II outside Benisheik Town, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE. He described the road as a strategic one for economic empowerment and social inclusion. He stated, “Roads are a means of empowering the people. This road connecting to Benisheik, which serves as a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe state, is a very positive development.” He further urged the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms and national development efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The FCW described the Kaga–Gubio Road as a critical intervention, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce into Maiduguri and other parts of the zone, strengthening commercial activities within the corridor. He explained that the project forms part of a broader emergency and special works designed to safeguard existing infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic stability in areas facing security challenges.   ...

FG ASSURES TIMELY COMPLETION OF ₦75.47BN POTISKUM–JAKUSKO–GASHUA ROAD, COMMISSIONS PROJECTS IN YOBE. The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has assured the people of Yobe State of the timely completion of key federal road projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The interventions aim to restore failed roads, improve access, and support economic and social activities across the state and its neighbours. As part of a national media tour of federal roads and the commissioning of emergency/special intervention projects, Yobe State’s version was held on Monday, 9 February 2026. It was led by the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Yobe State, Engr. Nasir Dauda, and included officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Damaturu Branch, contractors, community leaders, and members of the media. At the rehabilitation site of the Potiskum–Jakusko–Gashua road, section I, Engr. Dauda assured residents of the timely completion of the ₦75.47 billion project. He stated that the road was awarded in 2024 to Messrs JRB Construction Limited, with a scheduled completion date of 14 May, 2026.  The project covers 79.4 kilometres and is being constructed on continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). He explained that work commenced from Chainage 49, identified as the most critical section of the road due to erosion and flooding challenges. The Project Manager, Engr. Kabir Fatai confirmed that over 1.5 kilometres of the pavement have already been completed, with work prioritised on vulnerable sections ahead of the rainy season. The Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Damaturu Branch, Engr. Mustapha Abdullahi described the choice of rigid pavement as appropriate and confirmed that tests showed a pavement thickness of 200 millimetres. He noted that the project will boost economic activities, reduce road accidents, and significantly shorten travel time. The inspection team also commissioned an emergency road project at the College of Administration, Management and Technology (CAMTECH), Potiskum. The FCW stated that the 490-metre access road was executed to ease movement for staff and students and was completed within three months. He added that the intervention reflects the Federal Government’s concern for the well-being of students. The Rector of the Institution, Mallam Ibrahim Bomai Zarma, thanked the Federal Government for the project, describing the road as being built to standard, and appealed for additional intervention projects. The Chairman, NSE observed that the road will significantly improve transportation within the institution and support academic activities. Two (2) additional projects were commissioned in Potiskum town: the CABS/Graveyard Road and the Limited Rehabilitation of Hayin Gada Road. These projects form part of the Federal Government’s 260 Emergency and Special Intervention projects nationwide. The roads were delivered to restore access, improve safety, and ease movement within the communities and their neighbours. The completed projects in Potiskum were commissioned, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, by the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Council, Mr. Usman Mohammed. He commended the Federal Government for its well-thought-out and timely interventions in the state. The Representative of the Minister further commissioned the 8.8-kilometre Damagum–Gubana Road, which Engr. Dauda disclosed was contracted to Messrs Petropan Energy Limited at the cost of ₦1.49 billion and completed within one year. He explained that the road links several agrarian communities and has tremendously improved the transportation of farm produce. The Yerima of Fune and District Head of Damagum, Alhaji Idris Mai Saleh, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, agreeing that the road will ease the movement of goods and support local livelihoods. Engr. Abdullahi confirmed that the project meets engineering standards and will further stimulate economic activities. The Vice Chairman also commissioned the road on behalf of the Honourable Minister. Another project inspected was the Kaleyeri–Damaturu Road, a 54.5-kilometre federal highway awarded in 2019 to Messrs Ric Rock Construction Limited. The Controller confirmed that the contractor has returned fully to the site. The Project Engineer, Engr. Ayodele Ajibogi disclosed that earthworks are ongoing in two sections, with three kilometres of binder course completed. He assured that the project will be delivered as scheduled.   ...

FG RESTORES CRITICAL ROAD LINKS, CURBS FLOODING IN BAUCHI COMMUNITIES The Federal Ministry of Works continues to implement strategic infrastructure interventions across Nigeria, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Since its inception in May, 2023, the administration has been implementing numerous federal road and bridge projects nationwide, focusing on priority corridors to improve connectivity, safety, and socio-economic outcomes. The North-East Zone National Media Tour and Commissioning of Emergency/Special Intervention Projects kicked off in Bauchi State on Sunday, 8th February, 2026, with a visit to the Rehabilitation of Bauchi–Gombe Road, a vital corridor linking Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba States. The 35-kilometre section of the alignment was awarded in 2024 to Messrs Triacta (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of N39,999,177,118.59. The rehabilitation project aims to restore a major transport artery that has, in recent times, recorded frequent accidents and prolonged travel times. Ongoing works have already resulted in a noticeable reduction in road crashes,  They are expected to significantly improve safety, reduce travel time, and cost of vehicle maintenance, as well as boost economic activities across the North-East Zone, upon completion. Also, as part of its ongoing efforts toward the provision of road infrastructure to Nigerians, the Federal Ministry of Works commissioned two completed emergency and special intervention projects on the same day, along the Bauchi–Darazo–Kari—Potiskum Road. The Federal Government’s recent road interventions in Bauchi State include the Emergency Repair of a Collapsed Concrete-Lined 3-Cell Pipe Culvert at Konkiyel Town (Chainage CH 120+500). The project was executed to permanently address perennial flooding, protect adjoining farmlands and communities, and safeguard the integrity of the federal road infrastructure. This was followed by the Emergency Repair of a Collapsed Section of a 2-Cell Pipe Culvert and Concrete-Lined Drain at Sauke Village (Chainage CH 162+000), restoring hydraulic capacity, mitigating flood risks, improving road safety, and ensuring uninterrupted movement of people, services, and goods. The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, who was ably represented by the Bauchi State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Umar Saidu, led the commissioning ceremonies. He described the interventions as transformative, emphasising their role in bringing lasting relief to affected communities, preventing recurring flood damage, and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the people of Bauchi State and the wider North-East Zone. He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the durability and effectiveness of both ongoing and  completed projects. Giving technical insight into the projects during the exercise, the Federal Controller of Works in Bauchi State, Engineer Bashiru Adamu, explained that the interventions form part of the 260 Emergency Projects initiated at the outset of the present administration to address critical infrastructure failures, nationwide. He noted that the Bauchi–Gombe road rehabilitation and the emergency drainage works along the Bauchi–Darazo–Kari—Potiskum Road were executed to mitigate flooding and protect federal assets. It will also help in mitigating the effects of climate change, he added. According to him, the culverts and concrete-lined drains are critical hydraulic structures that ensure roads, farmlands, and communities remain safe and accessible. In his remarks, an official of the Bauchi State Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engineer Ibrahim Ahmed, commended the Federal Government for its prompt response to infrastructure challenges and expressed satisfaction with the engagement of licensed engineers and technologists on the projects, encouraging sustained professional oversight to further strengthen delivery standards. Similarly, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Bauchi Branch, Engineer Shehu Wakili, underscored the strategic importance of the Bauchi–Gombe and Bauchi–Potiskum corridors to regional connectivity and economic growth. He noted that the emergency culverts and drainage works protect the federal road network and support the smooth movement of goods and services, while urging host communities to complement government efforts through environmental protection measures such as the planting of trees. Speaking on the project, the Project Manager of Triacta (Nigeria) Limited,  Mr. Joseph Samaha, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support and assured that the Bauchi–Gombe Road rehabilitation is progressing according to schedule. He confirmed that works, including the construction of drainage, binder courses, and asphalt surfacing, are ongoing, with full completion expected within the year. Mallam Zakari Ya’ u,  Head of Sauke Village, expressed profound gratitude to the current administration for the emergency intervention and prayed that Allah sustains it. Speaking on behalf of the host communities, Mallam Zakari Ya’ u stated that the projects have brought lasting relief by preventing annual flooding, protecting farmlands, and improving access for residents. He pledged the community’s commitment to protecting and maintaining the infrastructure to ensure its sustained benefits. ...