Over N560 billion is being committed by the Plateau State Government to refurbish abandoned roads and deliver new infrastructure across the state, following the legacy of about 45 long-neglected road projects and the approval of 10 new projects from May 2023.
Plateau State Commissioner for Works, Joshua Ubandoma Lawen, disclosed this during a press briefing in Jos on Monday, explaining that the administration inherited projects spread across Northern, Central and Southern Plateau and abandoned for 10 to 12 years due to huge financial and developmental liabilities.
Lawen said Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutafwang directed that the regime should prioritize sustainability and impact, deciding to recover, reassess and complete inherited road projects rather than abandoning them, while also addressing critical connectivity gaps.
He said 18 priority roads out of the 45 abandoned projects were immediately resumed, including major corridors of the Jos-Bukuru metropolis as well as long-neglected rural roads in three regions of the state.
Despite inflation and rising construction costs, the Commissioner said 18 projects are currently at various stages of completion, with progress recorded in earthworks, drainage systems, bridges, asphalt laying and surface dressing, adding that none has been abandoned under the current administration.
He explained that the cost of constructing one kilometer of asphalt road is now between N1.2 billion and N1.55 billion, adding that the inherited road infrastructure liabilities are over N360 billion according to the revised total cost estimate.
Also read: Mutafwang outlines 2026 vision for plateau, promises peace, infrastructure, inclusive growth
In addition to the legacy works, Lawen said the government has approved 10 new strategic road projects to connect communities with no accessible roads, including local government headquarters and security- and agriculture-sensitive areas such as Ampere-Dengi, Dengi-Wasse, Bokkos, Mangu, Lantang, Mekong and Barkin Ladi.
He said the newly approved projects are estimated to cost between N160 billion and N200 billion after due diligence and RATC approval, adding that contractors have already mobilized and phased construction work is underway at several locations.
“These road projects are not cosmetic, but strategic interventions designed to enhance security, agriculture, tourism and economic growth,” Laven said. He said improved accessibility has reduced travel time, reduced transportation costs and strengthened rural-urban economic ties.
“This administration chose responsibility over excuses and continuity over resignation,” he said.
Beyond road construction, the Commissioner said the Ministry has executed extensive solar powered street lighting projects in Jos metropolis and major urban corridors to improve security, night-time economic activity and urban aesthetics.
He said additional street lighting phases are underway targeting suburbs and crime-prone areas to ensure full illumination of important corridors and expand commercial and social activities at night.
