Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned 18 completed road projects constructed at a cost of 58.7bn by the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed within the Bauchi metropolis.

Jonathan arrived in Bauchi on Sunday evening for the 2026 Democracy Dialogue slated for Tuesday, lauded the commissioning of the projects executed by the Bala Mohammed administration.

He said the commissioning marked his third major visit to Bauchi State, recalling that he had previously visited the state to commission a road project and later attended an economic conference.

According to him, the commissioning was more than the inauguration of roads, but a celebration of visionary leadership, responsible governance and purposeful investment in infrastructure.

“Across the world, no society can attain economic growth and progress without modern and reliable infrastructure. Roads are critical for the development of a state, mobilising communities, facilitating commerce, creating opportunities and promoting inclusive growth,” he said.

The former President said the confidence reposed in Governor Bala Mohammed by the people of Bauchi State was evidence of the governor’s commitment to transforming the state.

He noted that Governor Bala Mohammed had continued to justify the confidence through practical and impactful governance, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and human capital development.

Bala Mohammed: We’ve constructed 3,000km roads

Mohammed, said his administration has constructed about 3,000 kilometres of roads across the state since assuming office, out of the 5,000-kilometre target set under his administration’s transformation agenda.

He said the administration’s infrastructure programme was not merely about constructing roads, but also about opening up economic opportunities, improving livelihoods and laying a solid foundation for the prosperity and growth of the state.

“Our desire was to develop about 5,000 kilometres of roads, but so far, we have done about 3,000 kilometres since we came on board,” he said.

Mohammed said the projects were also aimed at strengthening security and promoting inclusive development, noting that improved road networks would facilitate movement, commerce and access to essential services.

He acknowledged the patience and cooperation of residents during the construction period, while apologising to communities whose road requests could not yet be fulfilled.

“I must apologise for the huge appetite that I raised for roads. Many people are coming to me. The resources are not inexhaustible, so we cannot do them all,” the governor said.