Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has commissioned more than 86 kilometres of roads and a bridge executed by the Gombe State Government under its Network-1100 initiative, describing the scale of development under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as unprecedented in the history of Gombe State and urging residents to reciprocate the administration's efforts by supporting its work.
The commissioning, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2026, covered a series of projects across Kwami Local Government Area. The centrepiece was the newly completed 41-kilometre Shango-Sarkin Yaki-Abuja/Bula-Bomala-Dinawa-Alagarno-Kalajanga-Tappi Road, which connects several communities along the Gombe-Tappi corridor and terminates at Tappi on the Gombe-Kano Highway. Other projects commissioned included the 30-kilometre Kwanan Gerkwami-Tsangayari-Gerkwami-Daniya-Daban Fulani Road and the 15-kilometre Kurba-Titi-Tsangayari Road with a spur to Kundulum, alongside the three-span Titi-Kurba Bridge. Together, the projects bring the total length of newly commissioned roads to more than 86 kilometres.
Speaking at the various commissioning locations, Zulum said the roads would stimulate agricultural production, strengthen rural economies and improve the livelihoods of communities along the corridors. "Construction of roads connecting cities to rural communities will no doubt expand farming opportunities, thereby enhancing the means of livelihood of the community," he said. He emphasised the practical impact of road infrastructure on rural life. "For our rural communities, a reliable road can make the difference between produce reaching the market and going to waste; between a child attending school regularly and struggling to get there; and between a patient receiving timely care and facing a difficult journey," he said.
The Borno governor was effusive in his praise for his Gombe counterpart, describing the level of development he witnessed as beyond what he had anticipated. "I want to use this platform to commend His Excellency, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, for all the good works that he has been doing in Gombe. Such kind of development is unprecedented in the history of Gombe State," he said. "Honestly, I did not know that Gombe had witnessed this level of development under the present administration. Governor Inuwa Yahaya is a Governor known and respected for his uncommon performance, and I am pleased to have come to Gombe and witnessed these remarkable achievements for myself". He urged the people of Gombe to appreciate the governor's efforts. "I must say that the people of Gombe are indeed fortunate to have a Governor who is so committed to their development. I therefore urge the people to reciprocate this selfless service by supporting and appreciating the Governor's efforts to transform the state".
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, in his remarks, said the projects were strategically designed to link communities, improve mobility and unlock the economic potential of areas along the corridors. He explained that the Network-1100 programme targets the construction of approximately 1,100 kilometres of roads across Gombe State's 11 Local Government Areas, with at least 100 kilometres planned for each LGA. He disclosed that as his administration entered the final phase of its tenure, more than 1,000 kilometres of roads had already been constructed, describing the development as a major milestone in the state's infrastructure drive. The expanded road network, he said, would facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce, improve access to markets and services, and strengthen economic activities across the state.
Beyond the roads and bridge, Zulum also commissioned a Local Council Development Area secretariat and two district head palaces in Kwami Local Government Area. The Kwami West LCDA secretariat in Bojude comprises administrative offices, a warehouse and solar-powered streetlights, designed to provide a conducive working environment for staff and improve service delivery. Zulum said the projects reflected the importance of investing simultaneously in infrastructure, grassroots administration and traditional institutions. "Our traditional rulers preserve our heritage, promote peaceful coexistence, help resolve disputes, and provide a vital link between government and the people," he said. He urged the District Heads of Bojude and Daban Fulani to use their new palaces as centres for dialogue, reconciliation and community leadership, and called on residents to protect the newly commissioned facilities. "Commissioning marks the beginning of a facility's service to the public. The work must continue through proper maintenance, effective administration, and a lasting commitment to the people for whom these projects were built," he said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya explained that the creation of the Kwami West LCDA was aimed at bringing governance closer to the people and accelerating development at the grassroots. He said the initiative was inspired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administrative model during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, and disclosed that efforts to provide constitutional backing for the newly created LCDAs were progressing. The commissioning drew a cross-section of government officials, traditional rulers and residents, and it underscored the collaborative relationship between the North-East states in advancing regional development. Zulum said the region's governors had a shared responsibility to strengthen institutions, expand opportunities and improve the conditions of citizens.
The Network-1100 initiative has been the centrepiece of the Inuwa Yahaya administration's infrastructure agenda, and the projects commissioned over the weekend represent its latest tangible outcomes. For the communities along the Shango-Tappi corridor and the rural roads of Kwami LGA, the new roads and bridge offer improved access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, and they reduce the isolation that has long constrained economic activity in the area. For the Gombe State Government, the commissioning is a demonstration of delivery as the administration enters its final phase. For Governor Zulum, the visit was an opportunity to acknowledge a peer's achievements and to reinforce the message that North-East governors are working together to address the region's development challenges. As Zulum put it, the people of Gombe are fortunate to have a governor committed to their development, and the roads and bridges unveiled over the weekend stand as evidence of that commitment.
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