Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on Tuesday, flagged off the long-awaited construction of the 39.7-kilometre Jebbu Bassa–Binchin–Buyo Road in Bassa Local Government Area, alongside the 2.3-kilometre Sabon Layi–Corner Shagari Road in Jos North LGA.
The dual ceremonies attracted top government officials, political stakeholders, community leaders, and residents, who described the projects as both a humanitarian intervention and a bold step toward inclusive governance through strategic infrastructure delivery.
Speaking during the flag-off in Bassa, Governor Mutfwang said the project fulfilled a personal campaign promise, recalling the hardship he experienced traversing the road in the past.
“Each time I passed through this road, it pained my heart that such a short distance took such a long time. Today marks the beginning of changing that story. Governance, for me, is about keeping faith with the people,” he declared.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to service, peace and development, stressing that he remains accountable to the people of Plateau State.
“I am a messenger of the Plateau people, and I am determined to deliver good governance, peace, and development,” he said.
Mutfwang acknowledged inheriting numerous abandoned projects and a heavy debt burden running into hundreds of billions of naira. However, he insisted that financial challenges would not derail rural transformation efforts.
“We do not have all the resources, but by God’s grace, we will find them. We will be prudent and prioritize development over unnecessary political battles,” he stated, adding that unity remains critical to conserving resources and accelerating growth.
Describing road infrastructure as the backbone of economic revival, the Governor disclosed that nearly every local government area in the state currently has an ongoing road project.
He explained that the 39.7-kilometre Jebbu Bassa–Binchin–Buyo Road—one of the longest in the state—will boost trade, improve security access, and strengthen inter-state connectivity with neighbouring Kaduna State.
Calling for community cooperation, Mutfwang urged landowners and youths to support contractors and avoid unnecessary demands.
“This road is for all of us. Let it not be heard that anyone demanded millions before soil could be taken from his land. We must make sacrifices for collective progress,” he said, assuring contractors of adequate security for smooth project execution.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon. Joshua Ubandoma, revealed that the administration inherited 45 abandoned road projects covering 1,261.28 kilometres, many left untouched for over a decade.
He noted that in less than three years, the government has completed about 30 per cent of the total stretch, reactivated 31 of the 45 projects with contractors fully mobilized, and awarded eight new road projects across the three senatorial zones, including strategic bridges and corridors.
Ubandoma further explained that due process required terminating a non-performing contractor before re-awarding the Jebbu–Binchin–Buyo inter-state link, which he said would ease healthcare access and enhance security.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Bassa LGA described the road as a lifeline for farmers, traders, students, and families who have endured decades of hardship, particularly during the rainy season.
“This road is far more than asphalt; it is a pathway to economic liberation, social integration, security, and development,” he said.
Project Engineer, Engr. Mike Adeboye of PW Construction assured residents of quality and timely delivery, pledging to execute the project to the highest standards.
Similarly, the Member representing Rukuba/Irigwe Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Eli Bako, commended the Governor for breaking what he described as a decades-old jinx surrounding the project.
Extending the infrastructure drive to Jos North, the Governor also flagged off the Sabon Layi–Corner Shagari Road project, which includes a two-span bridge linking several communities within the metropolis.
The corridor, long affected by flooding and poor connectivity, serves as a vital link for multiple neighbourhoods.
The Managing Director of AVI Construction Company, Engineer Andrew Onoja, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to execute the bridge and road network project, assuring residents of quality workmanship.
For communities previously marked by isolation and economic stagnation, the twin projects signal a new dawn of connectivity, security, and inclusive development across Bassa, Jos North, and Plateau State at large.
