Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has renewed his push to position Gombe firmly within the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda, with emphasis on major road corridors critical to unlocking the agricultural, commercial, industrial and tourism potential of the state and the wider North-East.
The Governor made the fresh push during a meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Monday in Abuja.
The engagement is part of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s sustained efforts to secure strategic federal interventions in road infrastructure, which he considers critical to improving connectivity, opening up economic opportunities and strengthening regional integration.
At the centre of the discussion was the Gombe-Biu axis of the Akwanga- Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Biu – Maiduguri Super Highway, a major infrastructure project recently approved and flagged off by the Federal Government.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya has been particularly persistent in advocating the early commencement of the Gombe-Biu axis, recognising the strategic importance of the corridor to Gombe State and the North-East subregion.
His advocacy has included repeated engagements with the Ministry of Works and other relevant federal authorities, culminating in the recent visit of Senator Umahi to Gombe, where he joined Governor Inuwa Yahaya and members of the National Assembly in performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
With the groundbreaking completed, the Governor, with all sense of gratitude to the President, is now pressing for sustained momentum towards full-scale construction and timely delivery.
A key component of the Governor’s push is the consideration of new Northern and Southern bypasses for Gombe metropolis, which would open up the state capital from both ends, provide strategic connections to the Gombe-Biu corridor, ease pressure on the city’s existing road network and facilitate smoother movement of traffic, people and goods.
In his brief remark, the Works Minister, Sen. David Umahi, described the Gombe- Biu axis of the superhighway as a priority project of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, assuring Governor Inuwa Yahaya that his request to commence the project from the proposed point of interest would be duly considered as work gets underway in earnest.
Senator Umahi also expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor handling the project, Hitech Construction Company, describing the firm as one of the most competent contractors for major infrastructure projects.
Beyond the specific project, the Minister commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment, persistence and sincerity of purpose in pursuing development projects for the people of Gombe.
Reflecting on his recent visit to the state, Senator Umahi said the experience had given him a deeper appreciation of the scale and quality of development taking place in Gombe under the present administration.
“Since my visit to Gombe, I have become like your ambassador; anywhere I go I talk about your state and the developmental strides I have witnessed. I tell people, when you want to see genuine development and visionary leadership, go to Gombe.”
He assured the Governor that the Federal Government would deliver the project, expressing confidence that its completion would bring significant benefits to the people and further demonstrate the impact of the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure agenda.
The Minister equally acknowledged Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s continued advocacy for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of other strategic highways serving the North-East, including the Gombe -Bajoga- Potiskum, Gombe -Dukku -Darazo and Gombe-Bauchi corridors.