Benue govt kicks off N62bn Gboko township roads’ upgrade 

The Benue State Government has launched a major road infrastructure upgrade in Gboko Local Government Area with the commencement of reconstruction and dualisation of township and feeder roads, in line with the urban renewal agenda of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.

The expansive project, covering approximately 55 kilometres and valued at over ₦62 billion, was formally inaugurated on Wednesday at Lubona Junction in Gboko.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Alia said that the initiative underscored his Government’s resolve to strengthen infrastructure, promote effective governance, and deliver visible development to the people of Benue State.

Governor Alia noted that upon completion, the Gboko township road network would rank as the second longest in the State. He added that similar large-scale road projects are underway in other parts of Benue, including the 57.6-kilometre Awajir–Oju road in the Benue South Senatorial District.

The governor acknowledged the backing of President Bola Tinubu for infrastructural development in the State and expressed confidence that the President would soon inaugurate several completed road projects in Benue.

Explaining the choice of Gboko for the intervention, Governor Alia described the town as strategically significant, being the headquarters of the Tiv Nation. He emphasised that his administration remains focused on people-oriented development rather than political considerations, noting that reforms had been introduced to enhance the living conditions of citizens.

The governor charged the contractors to comply strictly with approved specifications, quality benchmarks, and project timelines, directing that the work be completed within five months and commissioned before the commencement of election campaigns. He assured residents that he would personally return to inaugurate the roads upon completion and appealed to community leaders, traditional institutions, and residents to cooperate with contractors to ensure seamless execution.

Earlier, Tivfa Wombo, Director of Civil Engineering at the Ministry of Works, revealed that the project scope includes the remodeling of the Yandev Roundabout as well as the construction of about 25 dual carriage roads within the Gboko township.

In his remarks, the contractor’s representative, Jacob Momoh of JAMUD Construction Limited, assured that construction activities would begin immediately, pledging to deliver the project within the stipulated five-month period and in accordance with required quality standards.