Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Tinubu over the approval of the N1.245 trillion Gombe-Biu Highway project, describing the initiative as a major intervention that could boost economic activities and improve connectivity across parts of North-East Nigeria.
According to Vanguard, Buratai said the road project would serve as a strategic infrastructure corridor linking communities, enhancing trade and facilitating movement across the region. He reportedly described the project as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and national integration.
The former army chief noted that the highway would not only improve transportation but could also contribute to addressing some of the developmental challenges confronting communities in the North-East. He argued that improved road networks are critical to economic growth, access to markets and regional development.
The Federal Government recently approved the N1.245 trillion project as part of its broader infrastructure programme. Supporters of the initiative argue that the road will stimulate commerce, reduce travel time and support reconstruction efforts in areas affected by years of insurgency and conflict.
However, while government officials and allies have highlighted the project as a significant achievement, critics maintain that large-scale infrastructure projects must be assessed alongside the pressing realities confronting ordinary Nigerians. They point to rising poverty, inflation, unemployment and insecurity, arguing that road construction alone cannot resolve the deep socio-economic crisis facing millions of citizens.
The endorsement by Buratai comes amid continuing debates over the Tinubu administration’s performance nearly three years into office. While government supporters cite infrastructure spending and economic reforms as evidence of progress, critics argue that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful improvements in the living conditions of workers, youth and poor Nigerians.
For many residents of the North-East, the success of the project will ultimately be measured not by its cost or political endorsements but by whether it delivers tangible benefits, creates jobs and improves the daily lives of people who have endured years of conflict, displacement and economic hardship.
