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.

RMAFC: No Decision Made On Transfer Of Disputed Oil Wells To Any State

RMAFC: No decision made on transfer of disputed oil wells to any state. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says disputed crude oil and gas wells have not been proposed for transfer to any oil-producing state.

Reports had claimed that recommendations had already been made to transfer certain oil wells to specific states.

In a statement on Sunday, Mohammed Shehu, chairman of the commission, said the RMAFC has not made such a decision.

Shehu said the purported report was allegedly issued by “the Inter-Agency Committee on the Verification of Coordinates of Disputed Crude Oil and Gas Wells between States”.

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He described the report as misleading and premature, saying it does not reflect the position or conclusions of the RMAFC.

“At this stage, there is no finalised recommendation or decision regarding the ceding or reallocation of any oil wells, as due institutional processes are still ongoing,” the statement reads.

Shehu explained that the commission operates a clearly defined and transparent procedure in handling assignments of national significance, saying the process on the disputed oil wells had not been concluded.

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He said the RMAFC only received a draft report from the inter-agency committee on February 13, 2026.

“Consistent with established protocol, the draft document has been transmitted to relevant technical and statutory stakeholders, namely the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Boundary Commission, and the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, for detailed review, observations, and technical input,” he said.

Following receipt of agencies’ observations and recommendations, Shehu said the matter will undergo further scrutiny by the commission’s tripartite committees, comprising the committee on crude oil, gas, and investment and the legal matters committee.

He said upon completion of the institutional processes, the final report would be formally transmitted to the president.

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Shehu said the final report would also be submitted to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) for necessary consideration and further action in accordance with applicable laws and constitutional provisions.

“In view of the above clearly established procedures, the Commission considers the report currently circulating in the media as speculative, inaccurate, and capable of misleading the public,” he said.

Shehu urged members of the public, stakeholders, and media organisations to disregard the purported report and to await official communication from the commission once the statutory review process is complete.

DISPUTED OIL WELLS

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In 2012, the supreme court ruled that some 76 offshore oil wells belong to Akwa Ibom state and not Cross River, ending a long-running controversy over their ownership.

In July 2025, the Akwa Ibom government cautioned against “renewed incitement, inflammatory media campaigns” over the state’s ownership of the 76 oil wells, accusing Cross River of making “incendiary and patently false claims that have agitated the people of Akwa Ibom State”.

RMAFC

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In the same month, the Cross River government insisted that the renewed agitation for a revisit of the issue of the 76 oil wells followed the discovery of fresh facts which, it claimed, clearly indicated the oil wells were wrongly awarded to Akwa Ibom.

Similarly, a long-standing dispute over 17 oil wells was resolved by the supreme court in favour of Rivers state.

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In July 2021, the supreme court issued an order restraining the federal government and its agencies from ceding the oil wells to Imo state.

On January 29, the federal government said it has commenced the plotting of disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells to ensure that oil-producing states receive their rightful share of revenue.

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Update: Jet Bridges Arrives Victor Attah International Airport In Akwa Ibom

Update: Jet bridges arrives Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom. Passenger Boarding Bridges, also known as jet bridges, for the international wing of Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, arrived on Sunday, 15 February 2026.

The equipment reached the airport after a five-hour convoy movement from Onne Port, near Port Harcourt. This delivery comes as the administration of Governor Umo Eno intensifies preparations for the commencement of international operations expected in April.

Additional aviation equipment procured from China has already been cleared at Onne Port and is currently en route to Uyo. The equipment is being transported on low-bed trailers moving at an average speed of twenty-five kilometres per hour under combined security escort. Arrival is expected on Monday, 16 February 2026.

The State Commissioner for Finance and Special Duties, Emem Bob, disclosed the development in an exclusive briefing to Inside the Hilltop, the official bi-weekly publication of the Akwa Ibom State Government.

A passenger boarding bridge is an enclosed, movable elevated walkway that links the terminal gate directly to an aircraft. It allows passengers to board and disembark safely and comfortably while shielding them from weather conditions and airside traffic. The systems are telescopic and can extend, retract, rotate, and adjust in height to serve different aircraft types. Trained personnel operate them to ensure precise alignment with aircraft doors.

With about two and a half months to the planned April launch of international flights, the state government on Wednesday, 12 February 2026, reaffirmed its readiness to meet the timeline. The assurance followed an inspection of the international terminal led by Commissioner Emem Bob and a high-level technical team.

The inspection covered key infrastructural and operational areas, including the terminal access road, car park, apron, taxiway, perimeter security fencing, smart internet systems, power transmission facilities, transformers, and medium-voltage power panels.

After a technical review meeting with contractors and engineers on-site, the commissioner expressed confidence that the project would meet the April deadline. He noted that the governor remains fully committed to delivering a world-class international airport facility within the approved timeframe and that the current progress report supports the feasibility of the schedule.

Jet Bridges Arrives Victor Attah International Airport In Akwa Ibom

The Chairman of VKS Construction Ltd., Engr. Oliver Ebong, said the company expects to complete the terminal by the end of March, ahead of the April target.

The push for international operations followed a technical assessment by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Following that visit, Governor Umo Eno inaugurated an implementation committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, to oversee the airport’s transition to full international status.