The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that the infrastructural projects being executed by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will win votes for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yilwatda described the projects as an "unbeatable campaign asset" for the APC. He made this statement during an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Akwanga, Jos and Gombe section of the Trans-Sahara Superhighway.
The Akwanga-Jos section of the superhighway is a 125-kilometre stretch of the larger Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri superhighway. The project aims to improve connectivity, security, and economic activity across the country. Yilwatda emphasized the importance of the new construction, stating that it is designed to last for over 100 years. The project is part of a larger initiative that spans from Calabar to Jos, covering over 1,400 kilometres and linking various regions in Nigeria.
The Trans-Sahara Superhighway aims to connect the South-South, South-East, North-Central, and North-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Yilwatda said the project is living proof of what the Renewed Hope agenda stands for. He expressed optimism that Nigerians will continue to support President Tinubu due to the significant impacts of his administration on the people. The APC chieftain noted that the construction marks a significant advancement in infrastructure.
The Akwanga-Jos road project will incorporate 24-hour intelligent surveillance cameras, continuous lighting, dedicated police outposts, and emergency trauma clinics to strengthen security along the strategic corridor. Yilwatda said the project is designed to enhance security and community welfare. The road will feature traffic lights, surveillance cameras, police stations, and clinics, all strategically placed along the route to improve safety and healthcare access.
Yilwatda noted that the Akwanga-Jos corridor had suffered decades of inadequate attention before the present administration commenced its reconstruction. He stated that communities along the Nasarawa-Plateau axis rarely saw federal capital projects running into even N10 billion. Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has committed hundreds of billions of naira to build an infrastructure asset designed to endure for over a century.
The project’s Equipment Coordinator and Public Relations Officer, James Baba, provided an update on the construction progress. He said heavy construction equipment had been mobilised to the Jos axis following directives from the Federal Ministry of Works. The contractor is working to complete at least 10km of road formation before Christmas, while another 30km is expected to be delivered in 2027.
The project aims to adhere to the highest standards of quality, with the decision to use cement concrete instead of asphalt based on specifications from the Federal Ministry of Works. The goal is to ensure the road's durability. The test running of the rigid pavement has commenced, with approximately 400 metres already completed. The target this year is to cover about 10 kilometres of earthwork before Christmas.
Key points
- The APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda says President Bola Tinubu's infrastructural projects will win votes for the party in the 2027 general elections.
