The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has flagged off the construction of a 2.5-kilometre road and two bridges in Potiskum Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State.

NEDC’s Managing Director, Muhammad Alkali, announced the road and bridges on Friday while handing over the project sites to the Eighteen Engineering Company (EEC) in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Alkali, represented by the Yobe State Coordinator of the commission, Prof. Ali Ibrahim Abbas, said: “The two capital road projects, upon completion by the construction firm, will link the Kara, Masaka, and Mazaga communities,” adding that the other bridge overcomes Tandari’s long-standing access woes to Potiskum Township.

Abbas stated that the road and bridges initiative supports the commission’s post-insurgency recovery and resettlement mandate, emphasising that the two capital projects will improve the safe haulage of goods and access to healthcare centres, schools, and markets.

The Coordinator added that the completion of the projects will not only improve people’s livelihoods but also drive socio-economic growth and development in Potiskum and the adjoining communities in the council area.

Beyond easing commuting and the haulage of goods, he added: “The completion of the road and bridges will uplift residents’ economic status by creating job opportunities for local engineers, artisans, and casual workers.”

Abbas continued: “This will create and build community wealth beyond the completion of the road project.”

In his brief remarks at the event, the EEC representative, Gao Kun, pledged the timely delivery of the two projects within 10 months, stating that the firm will also comply with the terms of the contracts, including specifications and completion deadlines.

It may be recalled that last year, the Alkali, alongside Abubakar Garba Iliya, the Executive Director, Administration and Finance, inspected some infrastructural needs in Yobe State and pledged to provide critical infrastructure in the roads sector of the local economy.