The ongoing reconstruction of the Akwanga-Jos section of the Trans-Sahara Superhighway has been described as a landmark infrastructure project that will transform economic activities, improve security, and deepen national integration across Nigeria. National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, made this statement during an inspection tour of the project in Jos. He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and commended the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to delivering critical road infrastructure across the country.
The Trans-Sahara Superhighway corridor stretches from Calabar through Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, Abuja, and Jos, before extending to Gombe, Biu, and Maiduguri, linking several geopolitical zones and creating a seamless transport network across the country. According to Yilwatda, the project represents one of the most significant federal investments in the region in decades, noting that the corridor had suffered years of neglect despite its strategic importance to socio-economic development in the North-central and North-east regions.
The Akwanga-Jos road, originally constructed around 1972, had not witnessed major rehabilitation for more than five decades, with successive interventions limited largely to palliative repairs and patchwork. Yilwatda noted that communities along the Nasarawa-Plateau axis rarely saw federal capital projects running into even N10 billion. However, President Tinubu has committed hundreds of billions of naira to build an infrastructure asset designed to endure for over a century.
The project is being executed using rigid concrete pavement technology to ensure durability and reduce maintenance requirements, adding that the road is designed to serve future generations. Yilwatda explained that the project is targeting a lifespan of over 100 years before there will be a need to consider maintaining or repairing it again. This approach aims to build a lasting legacy, according to the APC chairman.
The highway, which spans more than 1,400 kilometres, is expected to serve as a catalyst for trade, investment, and national cohesion by connecting communities, markets, and businesses across the South-south, South-east, North-central, and North-east regions. The project will also incorporate modern security architecture, including intelligent surveillance systems, continuous lighting, dedicated police outposts, and emergency trauma centres aimed at safeguarding commuters and communities along the route.
The APC chairman further disclosed that the highway will feature 24-hour surveillance cameras to assist security agencies in monitoring vehicular movements, tracking criminal activities, and ensuring rapid response to emergencies. This security setup is designed to improve safety and security along the route, which will connect several communities and boost economic activities in the region.
Yilwatda maintained that the project embodied the ideals of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure development, economic growth, and national integration. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the regional economy, improve living standards, and enhance the overall quality of life for communities along the route.
Key points
- The project aims to transform economic activities and improve security in the North-central and North-east regions.
- The highway will span over 1,400 kilometres and connect several geopolitical zones.
- The project is designed to serve future generations with a targeted lifespan of over 100 years.
