Three years after it was closed due to the activities of Boko Harm Terrorists, the Damaturu-Biu road has been re-opened by the Nigeria Army.
The 132km stretch of road is a major link between Yobe and southern Borno State, where most agricultural and economic activities in the area take place. It also connects Yobe, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa states.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the event at Buni Yadi, one of the towns recaptured from Boko Haram, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, said the road was re-opened due to improved security in the area, and its socio-economic importance to Yobe and Borno States.
Buratai also said the road re-opening is another milestone in their collective resolve to end insurgency and fast-track the return of normalcy to the area.
“Few weeks ago, the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road was re-opened. Road re-opening will continue in all other affected areas to ensure that law-abiding citizens go about their legitimate businesses while encouraging socio-economic activities to go on unhindered in this axis without fear of molestation or harm.
“The road is vital to the economy of Yobe and Borno, considering the large scale economic activities taking place in the southern part of the state”, he said.
He said the Army will continue to protect lives and property of all law-abiding citizens plying the road, while urging returnees to provide timely information on Boko Haram elements to security agents.
The army chief hailed the troops for “their courage and untiring efforts towards securing the communities and nation” even as he charged the state government to call on contractors handling the road project to resume work.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, who was represented by his Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Mohammed Surajo Wakil, assured that the state government would mobilize the contractors back to work, while seeking collaboration with Army engineers to complete the road project.
The governor was full of praise for the army for its commitment in ensuring that peace was restored in the area.
He, however, noted that the state government is awaiting final clearance from the military to return IDPs back to their communities.
