FG vows to complete Maiduguri–Monguno road despite security challenges
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Maiduguri–Monguno Road in Borno State, insisting that ongoing security challenges will not derail the project’s delivery.
Speaking during the ongoing nationwide media tour of the North East Zone, the Federal Controller of Works in Borno State, Engr. Salihu Adamu, said construction activities are progressing steadily on the corridor, which is considered critical to mobility and economic survival in the North East.
Adamu assured that the project remains on course despite difficult operating conditions. He said the government is determined to see the road completed in line with its infrastructure development agenda.
Speaking further, he identified insecurity as the major obstacle confronting the contractor, noting that intermittent attacks along parts of the highway have complicated movement and logistics.
“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,” he said
According to him, these threats have forced contractors to adopt longer and safer routes to transport construction materials to the site.
He said that the Maiduguri–Monguno Road project was awarded in 2018 to QUMECS Nigeria Limited, and that it spans 105.6 kilometres, originally valued at ₦21.73 billion.
Following a technical reassessment and scope modification, the contract sum was revised to ₦28.37 billion to accommodate improved pavement design and current economic realities.
Under Phase One of the project, which covers 30 kilometres, notable progress has been recorded with sections completed up to binder course level, extensive stone base works executed, and clearance activities advancing beyond the initial stretch.
Ongoing shoulder construction reflects a policy shift by the Ministry towards asphaltic concrete shoulders to improve durability and long-term road performance.
As security remains the major constraint on the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor, Borno State continues to operate under emergency conditions, with base and sub-base laterite sourced from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border (about 150 km away). And stone materials hauled from as far as Shira town in Bauchi State (approximately 450 km) due to restricted access and security considerations like the ban on the blasting of rocks in the state.
The Project Manager for the company, Engr. Bukar Kadai, confirmed that the contractor remains fully mobilised on site with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously, while asphalt laying is scheduled to commence following the delivery of bitumen to the site, soon.
Also speaking on the same project, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr. Mohammed Shettima, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the rehabilitation will ease transportation challenges for residents and road users.
In another vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna, inaugurated the completed Limited Rehabilitation of Kaga–Gubio Road, Sections I and II outside Benisheik Town, on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.
He described the road as a strategic one for economic empowerment and social inclusion. He stated, “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 further urged the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms and national development efforts of the administration of President Bola 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 zone, strengthening commercial activities within the corridor.
He explained that the project forms part of a broader emergency and special works designed to safeguard existing infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic stability in areas facing security challenges.
