..As NUJ describes roads critical to mobility, livelihoods and overall stability
The Federal Ministry of Works has attributed the slow pace of reconstruction and rehabilitation of federal roads, particularly the Maiduguri-Monguno highways, to insecurity, as motorists expressed growing concern over the prolonged delay.
The concerns were raised during the recent visit of a federal road inspection team to Borno State to assess the progress of ongoing rehabilitation work on the strategic highway.
Engr Salihu Ado, the Federal Controller of Works for the Borno Field Office, stated this during an inspection of the site in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, said renewed insurgent attacks along parts of the route had forced contractors to rely on safer, longer roads and to move equipment on and off the site daily for protection.
The Maiduguri–Monguno rehabilitation project, first awarded in 2018 to QUMECS Nigeria Limited, originally covered 105.6 kilometres at N21.7 billion with a 2021 completion date.
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It was later reviewed and reduced to a 30-kilometre first phase, with an upgraded pavement design and a revised contract sum of N28.36 billion under the 2025 Appropriation and the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme.
Ado said progress has remained slow, with only 5.85 kilometres of binder course completed and overall work standing at 5.46 per cent.
He attributed the delays to insecurity and the long distances required to haul key materials. Stone base was transported about 450 kilometres from Shira in Bauchi State, and laterite was sourced 150 kilometres from Ngamdu in Yobe.
Responding, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ ), Borno Council urged the contractor to sustain the improved pace of work, describing the project as critical to mobility, livelihoods and overall stability along the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor.
Abdulkareem Haruna, the state Council Chairman, NUJ,, disclosed this while inaugurating the Beneshek-Gubio Road, a 24.15-kilometre stretch of which 1.5 kilometres has so far been completed.
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Haruna said the project would enhance security in the area and improve the movement of goods and services, particularly between Borno and neighbouring states.
He added that the intervention demonstrated the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to rebuilding infrastructure in communities affected by years of conflict.
Haruna noted that better access roads were essential for revitalising economic activity and enabling security agencies to respond swiftly to threats.
