Borno residents laud Tinubu over Gombe-Biu superhighway project

Some residents of Borno State have commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to dualise the long abandoned 125kms Gombe-Biu Road.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe and Works Minister David Umahi, on behalf of Tinubu inaugurated the N1.245 trillion Gombe-Biu superhighway reconstruction in June .

The residents in separate interviews with NAN on Wednesday in Biu and Kwayar Kusar Local Government Areas, described the road as an important economic corridor and strategic trade route in Nigeria.

Mr Sule Ali, a large-scale grains farmer and dealer, from Biu Town, said that the road was a vital transportation lifeline for the people in Southern Borno.

He noted that the road linked rural farms, markets and produce to major city markets and industries in other parts of the country.

Ali said that the political will to put the road in good shape had been lacking for years as several attempts by previous administrations at reconstructing the road had failed.

“This is why I am commending President Tinubu for inaugurating the road for reconstruction and dualisation.

“This is the most important road project for now to the people of Southern Borno and even Gombe Central and we shall be grateful if this project is delivered,” he said.

Ali said that the road remained key to transporting commodities from Biu Grains market which supplies grains to states in Southern Nigeria and other neighbouring countries.

According to him, the road if completed will improve access to more farm produce and reduce the prices of grains too.

He explained that the high cost of transportation as a result of bad roads, was partly responsible for higher prices of grains and livestock taken from Biu and Kwayar Kusar markets.

Another trader from Biu town, Hajiya Hauwa Aminu, who sells groundnut cake also known as Kulikuli said Tinubu deserved to be commended for inaugurating the reconstruction of the road.

Aminu said she would vote for Tinubu if the road project commenced before the election as a way of appreciating Mr President.

“I supply Kulikuli to buyers in Gombe, Bauchi and even to Abuja, this Gombe-Biu road has really been a nightmare that has been neglected for years.

“I have heard that some equipment have been transported to some communities along Biu, Kwayar Kusar LGAs of Borno and in Yamaltu Deba in Gombe State.

“This is commendable and if this road starts many residents, especially farmers and traders who use this road would vote massively for President Tinubu,” she said.

A livestock trader, Abdullahi Mai Akuya, from Maraba in Nasarawo State, who came to Kwayar Kusar International Cattle Market to purchase goats, commended Tinubu.

Abdullahi said that the project would reduce travel time along the route and facilitate more trade along the corridors.

Others who spoke with NAN expressed fears over the project in spite of citing some equipment of Hi-Tech Construction Company which is expected to execute the project using rigid pavement technology, in their communities.

According to them, past administrations have made similar moves and the road were abandoned dimming the hope of residents in communities in Borno and Gombe States.

They stated that if reconstruction of the road commenced before the election, they would mobilise their communities to vote for Tinubu to appreciate his effort at transforming the Gombe-Biu road.
NAN