By ABBA SUNNY, Abuja
The federal government (FG) of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Works, has restated its avowed intention to rehabilitate the Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State, including other key projects currently ongoing in the state despite prevailing security and logistical challenges.
Bornu State Federal Controller of Works (FCW) Engr Salisu Adamu gave the assurance as the nationwide media tour of the North East zone continues, the Federal Controller of Works in the State, Engr Salihu Adamu assured Nigerians that the project will be completed despite persistent security and logistical constraints.
“The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this has forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials,” he stated, while addressing the media at the project site in Maiduguri.
The project was initially awarded in 2018 to QUMECS, Nigeria, Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion, traversing 105.6 kilometres.
Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the project was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders, bringing the current contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect prevailing realities and enhanced engineering specifications. Phase 1 of the project covers 30 kilometres.
According to a statement signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Information and Public Relations in the ministry who led the media team, significant progress has been recorded, with approximately 5.8 kilometres completed up to binder course level and about 8 kilometres of stone base executed.
Clearance works have also extended beyond 15 kilometres, while shoulder construction is ongoing, in line with the Ministry’s revised policy, which replaces surface dressing with asphaltic concrete shoulders to provide stronger structural protection for the carriageway and enhanced pavement durability.
As security remains the major constraint on the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor, Borno State continues to operate under emergency conditions, with base and sub-base laterite sourced from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border (about 150 km away). And stone materials hauled from as far as Shira town in Bauchi State, (approximately 450 km), due to restricted access and security considerations like the ban on the blasting of rocks in the state.
The Project Manager for the company, Engr Bukar Kadai, confirmed that the contractor remains fully mobilised on site with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously, while asphalt laying is scheduled to commence following the delivery of bitumen to the site, soon.
Also speaking on the project, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr Mohammed Shettima, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the rehabilitation will ease transportation challenges for residents and road users.
In another vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna, inaugurated the completed Limited Rehabilitation of Kaga–Gubio Road, Sections I and II outside Benisheik Town, on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi.
He described the road as a strategic one for economic empowerment and social inclusion. “Roads are a means of empowering the people. This road connecting to Benisheik, which serves as a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe state, is a very positive development,” he said.
He urged the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms and national development efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The FCW described the Kaga–Gubio Road as a critical intervention, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce into Maiduguri and other parts of the zone, strengthening commercial activities within the corridor.
He explained that the project forms part of a broader emergency and special works designed to safeguard existing infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic stability in areas facing security challenges.