Tinubu inaugurates Nasarawa underpass, 3.7km dualised township roads

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a new 600-metre underpass and 3.7km dualised township road network in the Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Our correspondent reports that Governor Abdullahi Sule constructed the underpass and the dualised township roads network in Akwanga as part of the urban renewal initiative to transform the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tinubu, who was represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, said the projects would ease traffic congestion and boost economic activity in the area.

Tinubu explained that those who had been to Akwanga before now would know that the area was being totally transformed into a modern town.

He said, “Anybody who has seen this road before now knows how congested it used to be.

“The congestion and delays, especially during festive periods, made it take hours to pass through this road.

The massive work you (Governor Sule) have done in the shortest possible time on this road is admirable.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate what you are doing, not just in this town alone. I came through Karu. I saw what you are doing in Karu — so extraordinary.

“You are doing a great job in terms of road network and other infrastructure to provide amenities for the people of this state.”

The President further noted that the projects carried out by the governor were in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda to provide critical infrastructure across the country.

He described the projects as part of the state’s efforts to modernise Nigeria’s road infrastructure and make the area a true transit hub.

On his part, Sule appreciated the President for inaugurating the projects, which are to be enjoyed by the people in the area and beyond.

Sule explained that the state was able to carry out all the projects and all other projects all over the state in the past three years without borrowing even a naira from any bank, as a result of the working economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.

“They were carried out because we had the opportunity of what we call the economic reforms, the unification of the foreign exchange, and the withdrawal of the subsidy.

“This has made it possible for governors like me, who came in in 2019, that is actually seeing an allocation of anywhere between N3.5bn and N4bn a month, to now be seeing anything between N13bn and N15bn a month.

“And that is what has made it possible that we are carrying out all these projects throughout, and we will not relent till the end of our administration in 2027,” the governor added.

Sule further expressed confidence that the people of the state would reward the President with at least 70 to 80 per cent of the votes during the 2027 election for the good works that he had been doing in the state and the country at large.

Our correspondent reports that while in Akwanga, the President also performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the 700-kilometre Akwanga-Kaduna-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway to tackle the challenges being faced by commuters.

During the groundbreaking, Tinubu said phase one of the road project, which covers 125 kilometres from Akwanga to Jos, Plateau State, is a critical component of the Federal Government’s road infrastructure development programme aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety and stimulating socio-economic activities in the area.

He urged the contractors to deliver the job according to specifications to justify the government’s efforts in issuing the contract to the firms.

“Please do not just be contractors, but be development partners: Train our youth, transfer talent, give skills, create jobs in the communities.

“Ensure that our young people are part and parcel of the job that will be created. Ensure that you transfer reasonable skills in our communities,” Tinubu added.

Earlier in his Speech, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the Federal Executive Council had approved the total sum of N111bn for the smooth takeoff of the road construction, which is expected to be done with concrete.

He further expressed gratitude to the governors of Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi and Borno states for giving the Federal Government the needed cooperation to commence the execution of the road project without any hindrances.