Decades Of Broken Promises, Isolation Ends As FG Embarks On Transformative Roads On Plateau Community

Decades of broken promises, isolation ends as FG embarks on transformative roads on Plateau community. The Federal Ministry of Works has concluded its National Media Tour of the North East, visiting ongoing projects on the Mambila Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State.

The projects visited include the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the Bali–Serti (Gashaka)–Gembu and the Construction of Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang (Lip) Roads.

The Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang (Lip) Road, which links to the Cameroon border highlights a renewed hope under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. It will be recalled that during the 1961 UN Plebiscite on the former Northern Cameroons, it voted to join Nigeria, thereby creating the Sardauna Province on June 1, 1961. And, most importantly, the construction of the road was one of the conditions given, then, by the communities for being a part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was accepted, promised but remained unfulfilled for a long time.

The Mbondua of Mbamnga Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sale Mbondu, expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE for bringing a remarkable federal presence to his domain. He noted significant improvements, including trade, tourism, investment and commerce, travel time, movement and connectivity, access to healthcare, and more.

The monarch further highlighted that journeys, which previously lasted up to six hours due to poor road conditions and river crossings have now been greatly shortened due to the commencement of the project and, most especially, the completion of one of the bridges. He described the ongoing construction of the road linking Nigeria with the Republic of Cameroun as an intervention that has finally assuaged decades of neglect and suffering by communities on the Mambila Plateau.

According to him, the project represents the fulfilment of long-standing promises by successive administrations and a turning point in the integration of Mbamnga and surrounding communities into the national economy. “This road has changed our story. For decades, we were cut off. People crossed rivers with canoes and ferries, and a journey of barely 15 kilometres could take up to six hours. Today, that suffering is coming to an end. We now feel that we truly belong to Nigeria,” he ascertained.

The Mbondua of Mbamnga expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the project, and to the Federal Ministry of Works for its drive, noting that the decision has fulfilled expectations that had lingered for over six decades. “He (Tinubu) just awarded the contract, not knowing that he has also fulfilled one of the promises made in 1961, before we joined Nigeria. So we are so happy and full of praise,” the monarch stated.

He, again, commended the contractor for the timely delivery of a bridge along the route and highlighted the project’s importance in easing the movement of goods, improving access to healthcare, and strengthening community relations and connectivity. He described the use of CRCP technology as a very wise decision to ensure longevity, stating that most of his people are seeing it for the first time in their lifetime.

The Federal Controller of Works in Taraba State, Engr. Ibrahim Usman, had earlier explained that the project, which is located on the Mambila Plateau, commenced on January 13, 2025, and is scheduled for completion by July 12, 2027. It is to be constructed using continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology.

He described the road as a critical transport artery linking the Mambila Plateau to the Camerounian border. He also disclosed that as of January, 2026, overall progress stood at about 20.76 per cent, with key components recording between 25 and 30 per cent completion. “One bridge has been completed, while work continues on a second bridge along the corridor,” he further revealed.

Also speaking, a representative of the contractor, Mr. Mathew Legacy, said the company remains committed to quality delivery despite challenges posed by difficult terrains and heavy rainfall. He complained that prolonged rains have affected construction timelines but assured that standards would not be compromised.

Plateau Community

The area experiences double rainfall maxima, annually. On his part, the Vice Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Ngantem, described the project as dynamic for daily life and economic activities across the plateau.

Another project inspected by the team was the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the Bali–Serti (Gashaka)–Gembu Road, approximately 235 kilometres long, which is being executed by S.C.C. (Nigeria) Limited, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s resolve to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.

The project, which is funded under the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme, begins at Bali Roundabout and extends to Gembu, traversing lowlands and the mountainous terrains of the Mambila Plateau.

It, additionally, serves as the primary access route connecting Taraba State to the Cameroun Republic. Although, NNPC funding of road projects has been stopped by the President, he has graciously approved that such works continue, while another financing option is being considered.

The Bali–Serti (Gashaka) stretch of the alignment has largely been asphalted, with road markings and finishing works currently on. Other ongoing works on the remaining alignment include retaining walls, crash barriers, and slope protection measures to mitigate landslides, and rocks falling on road users and the carriageway.

Engr. Usman added that approximately 12 kilometres of wearing course and 18 kilometres of binder course have been laid, alongside over 4 kilometres of drain-to-drain asphalt shoulders to enhance durability. He emphasised that all works comply strictly with the Ministry’s specifications and the Minister’s directives to prioritise critical sections, as well as to protect completed carriageways.

The Zonal Manager of S.C.C Nigeria Limited, Engr. Michael Rolbin, the contractor handling the project, brought out the technical challenges of the hilly terrain and the attention given to slope stabilisation and protective works to ensure the safety of motorists. He expressed confidence that upon completion, the road will improve accessibility, transportation efficiency, and regional economic potential.

The two projects aim to provide high service levels to road users by reducing vehicle maintenance costs, lowering transportation expenses, saving travel time and energy, and minimising highway incidents and fatalities.

The icing on the cake was the Commissioning of Special Intervention on Failed Sections Caused by Flooding along the Jalingo-Mutum Biyu-Tella-Wukari Road. This vital artery, according to the FCW, links the North-Eastern states of Nigeria with the North Central and Southern States, including the FCT, through Makurdi, stressing that its socioeconomic status cannot be denied. It also has within its corridor commercial and agricultural towns and villages, making it vulnerable to high vehicular traffic.

The contract was for an emergency repair of distressed and deplorable parts of the road requiring urgent attention in order to reduce travel time, cost of vehicle maintenance/repairs, and prevent accidents.

Inaugurating the project, on behalf of the Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Taraba State Branch, Comrade Mathew Jen, saluted the President and the Minister for various road projects in the state and found him worthy to perform the all-important task.