The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the provision of critical infrastructure across the country, with a renewed focus on road development as a catalyst for economic growth and improved livelihoods.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the assurance during a media tour, commissioning of completed emergency road repairs, and inspection of ongoing projects in Quanpan, Shendam, and Kanke Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Represented by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad, the minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of completed projects and the pace of work on those still ongoing.
According to him, the inspection tour forms part of the 260 road projects being executed nationwide under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This tour is part of the nationwide projects embarked upon by the Tinubu administration. We have also used the opportunity to feel the pulse of Nigerians on these projects and assess their impact,” Ahmad said.
Earlier, the Plateau State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, commissioned some of the completed projects on behalf of the minister, describing road infrastructure as central to development and social integration.
“On behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, I am privileged to commission this road for the good of humanity and to the glory of God. Road infrastructure is critical to development. When roads are constructed, communities enjoy greater dividends of democracy through enhanced economic and social activities,” she said.
Mrs. Pwaspo noted that the beneficiary communities are largely agrarian, adding that improved road networks would ease the movement of goods and services, boost farm-to-market access, and enhance security.
She further assured residents of Quanpan, Shendam, and Kanke that the Federal Government would continue to rehabilitate and construct more roads to open up rural communities.
On his part, the Federal Controller of Works in Plateau State, Engr. Jibril Umar Shuaibu, said all the projects inspected strictly followed approved specifications and standards.
“We visited three locations. Two were emergency projects in Kwande that have been completed and commissioned. The road was previously in a terrible condition, but now it is motorable, ensuring smooth journeys and improved security for commuters,” Shuaibu said.
Shuaibu added that the third project inspected was a 16-kilometre virgin road under the Renewed Hope Agenda, linking off the Lafia–Shendam Road to Ngutuguut community.
The minister’s representative commissioned completed emergency repairs of a culvert and bridge valued at ₦824.6 million, as well as another emergency repair involving a 2m x 1.5m double-cell box culvert with asphalt overlay along the Shendam–Ibi Road, costing over ₦200 million.
The media team also inspected the ongoing construction of the 16km Lafia-Shendam-Ngutuguut virgin road. The Project Manager, Triacta Nigeria Limited, Mr. Nakhle Abou Yauonde, disclosed that the project had reached 51 per cent completion and would be delivered within schedule and in line with specifications.
Expressing the excitement of the host community, a representative of Ngutuguut/Gidan Rina, Mr. Senpet Martines, described the project as “the road to endless possibilities,” noting that it has already begun to open pathways for socio-economic development in the area.
The final project inspected was the rehabilitation of the Babban Lamba–Sharam Road in Kanke LGA, where the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Works again expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work.
