Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Works David Umahi for the commencement of the reconstruction and dualisation of the 125-kilometre Gombe–Biu highway.

The project, valued at N1.245 trillion, was officially flagged off on Thursday at Liji in Gombe State, with key stakeholders in attendance, including the state governor, the Works Minister, and representatives of the contracting firm, Hi-Tech Construction Company.

Ndume, who represents Borno State, described the development as a major step in fulfilling long-standing commitments to improve critical road infrastructure in the North-East.

He noted that he had consistently advocated for the rehabilitation of the corridor due to its importance to economic activity, security operations, and regional connectivity.

Recalling his earlier engagements, Ndume said he had raised concerns about the poor state of the Biu–Gombe road in discussions dating back to 2019 and 2021, stressing its strategic importance to national development and regional integration.

He further explained that his recent correspondence with the Works Minister helped draw attention to the exclusion of the Biu–Damboa–Maiduguri corridor from the 2026 budget’s legacy projects. According to him, this contributed to the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the road under an infrastructure financing framework supported through tax credit arrangements linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Ndume added that the rehabilitation and expansion of the highway would significantly improve transportation, boost commerce, and enhance security across the North-East, describing it as a key route linking communities within and beyond the region.

He also appealed for further extension of the project beyond Biu to connect major towns including Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala, and down to Yola, arguing that such expansion would strengthen trade and help address insecurity.

According to him, poor road infrastructure has often been exploited by criminal elements, and improving connectivity would support ongoing efforts to curb insurgency in the region.

Ndume expressed optimism that residents of the North-East would appreciate the project, adding that such interventions would translate into political support for the current administration in future elections.