By The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determination to complete the rehabilitation of the Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State, despite persistent security and logistical challenges affecting the North East region.
Speaking during the ongoing nationwide media tour of the North East Zone, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW) in Borno State, Engr. Salihu Adamu, assured Nigerians that the project remains on course.
He noted that insecurity remains the greatest obstacle confronting the contractor, with sporadic attacks along highways compelling the company to adopt longer and safer routes for the transportation of construction materials.
“The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this has forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials,” Adamu said at the project site in Maiduguri.
The 105.6-kilometre road project was originally awarded in 2018 to QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion. Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the contract was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders. This adjustment increased the contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect current realities and improved engineering standards.
Phase I of the project spans 30 kilometres. So far, about 5.8 kilometres have been completed up to binder course level, while approximately 8 kilometres of stone base have been executed. Clearance works have progressed beyond 15 kilometres, with shoulder construction ongoing in line with the Ministry’s updated policy replacing surface dressing with asphaltic concrete shoulders to enhance structural strength and pavement durability.
Due to security restrictions, construction materials are being sourced from distant locations. Base and sub-base laterite are transported from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border, about 150 kilometres away, while stone aggregates are hauled from Shira town in Bauchi State, roughly 450 kilometres from the project site. The restriction on rock blasting within the state has further complicated material sourcing.
The Project Manager, Engr. Bukar Kadai, confirmed that the contractor is fully mobilised with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously. Asphalt laying is expected to commence once bitumen is delivered to the site.
Also commenting on the project, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr. Mohammed Shettima, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, noting that the road rehabilitation would significantly ease transportation challenges for residents and road users.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr.
David Umahi, inaugurated the completed Limited Rehabilitation of the Kaga–Gubio Road (Sections I and II) outside Benisheik Town.
Haruna described the road as strategic for economic empowerment and social inclusion, noting that it connects Benisheik — a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe State — and plays a vital role in regional mobility.
“Roads are a means of empowering the people. This road connecting to Benisheik, which serves as a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe State, is a very positive development,” he said, while urging the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Federal Controller of Works described the Kaga–Gubio Road as a critical intervention facilitating the movement of agricultural produce into Maiduguri and other parts of the North East, thereby strengthening commercial activities along the corridor. He added that the project forms part of broader emergency and special works initiatives aimed at safeguarding existing infrastructure, improving mobility, and supporting economic stability in areas facing security challenges.
