Ndume Hails Tinubu, Umahi Over N1.2trn Gombe-Biu Road Project

Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno State South, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the commencement of the reconstruction and dualisation of the 125-kilometre Gombe–Biu highway.

The project, valued at ₦1.245 trillion, was officially flagged off on Thursday at Liji in Gombe State, with top government officials in attendance, including the state governor and representatives of the construction company handling the project.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Ndume described the development as the fulfilment of long-standing commitments by the Tinubu administration to improve critical infrastructure in the North-East region.

The lawmaker recalled that he had consistently raised concerns over the poor state of the road under successive administrations, stressing its importance to economic activities, security operations, and regional integration.

He noted that he had engaged several ministers of works over the years, including formal presentations on the need to prioritise the Biu–Gombe corridor within national infrastructure plans and funding frameworks.

Ndume said his recent engagement with the current Minister of Works contributed to the eventual approval of the project under federal infrastructure financing arrangements, including tax credit mechanisms linked to national petroleum revenues.

He explained that the rehabilitation and dualisation of the highway would significantly improve transportation, boost trade, and enhance connectivity across the North-East, describing the corridor as a key route linking Nigeria to neighbouring countries.

The senator, however, appealed for the extension of the project beyond Biu to Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala and Yola, arguing that such expansion would further strengthen regional trade, security, and economic integration.

Ndume also linked poor road infrastructure to insecurity, noting that criminals often exploit bad roads to carry out kidnappings and attacks on travellers.

He expressed optimism that the project would deliver economic benefits to residents of the region and called on the Federal Government to sustain similar infrastructure investments across the country.

The senator further expressed confidence that the North-East would reward the administration for the intervention in future elections, describing the project as a major development milestone for the region.