Hon. Jafaru Yakubu, a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Nigeria–China Friendship Group, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the urgent rehabilitation and total reconstruction of the 48-kilometre Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede Road in Taraba State.
Yakubu, who sponsored a motion in the House of Representatives seeking immediate intervention on the road, described the President’s approval as a strategic response to the challenges faced by commuters and communities along the route.
According to him, the motion, which was debated and adopted by the House, highlighted the dangers posed by the continued deterioration of the road, including frequent accidents, disruption of economic activities and the risk of complete collapse.
The lawmaker also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for what he described as the adoption of a non-kinetic approach to addressing the challenges associated with the road.
Yakubu said Ribadu’s intervention helped elevate the project as a matter of national urgency by recognising infrastructure development as an important component of peace, security and stability.
He said the poor condition of the road posed serious risks to lives, trade, agricultural activities and access to healthcare for communities along the corridor.
The Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede Road, constructed in the early 1980s, has deteriorated significantly over the years due to age and inadequate maintenance.
The situation was further worsened by the collapse of the Namnai Bridge along the Jalingo–Wukari highway, which reportedly forced heavy-duty trucks to rely on the Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede route as an alternative corridor.
Yakubu assured his constituents that he would continue to engage with the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the North East Development Commission to ensure the timely execution of the reconstruction project.
He also disclosed that the House Committee on Works had been mandated to conduct oversight on the project and submit its report within four weeks.
The lawmaker said the oversight process would help promote transparency and accountability in the implementation of the project.
“As Chairman of the Nigeria–China Friendship Group, I am deeply conscious of the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing national development. This reconstruction is not merely about infrastructure—it is about saving lives, strengthening commerce, and reaffirming government’s duty to serve its people,” Yakubu said.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for their intervention, saying the project would provide safer transportation, support economic activities and improve the livelihoods of communities in the area.
The approval of the reconstruction project followed Yakubu’s motion in the House of Representatives calling for urgent government intervention on the deteriorating road.
For residents of Mutum Biyu, Garba Chede and surrounding communities, the proposed reconstruction is expected to improve road safety, facilitate movement of agricultural produce and strengthen economic activities along the corridor.
