Mutfwang Reaffirms Renewal Agenda With Utonkon, Jos Bridge

In a step towards the advancement of infrastructure in Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has formally commissioned the newly completed Utonkon Bridge and its adjoining roads along the Utonkon–Abattoir corridor in Jos.

The commissioning, which took place on Democracy Day, symbolized the administration’s dedication to delivering tangible benefits of democratic governance to the people.

Governor Mutfwang, speaking during the ceremony, described the project as a critical fulfilment of the administration’s infrastructure renewal agenda.

“On this 12th day of June 2025, Democracy Day, it is my pleasure and honour to formally unveil one of the dividends of democracy delivered to our people,” he declared.

Reflecting on the challenges inherited upon assuming office, Governor Mutfwang noted the extensive state of infrastructural decay across the state.

“When we came on board, we saw the dilapidation of infrastructure and committed to changing the narrative. I am glad this is the first official road infrastructure I am commissioning, among several others already completed. At present, over 3,000 kilometres of roads are undergoing evaluation across the State,” he stated.

The Utonkon Bridge project, initially awarded to PW Nigeria Ltd in 2007, was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in 2009 under the leadership of former Governor, Jonah Jang.

It was conceptualized as a key component of the Greater Jos Master Plan with the primary objective of decongesting the city centre and enhancing connectivity between developing communities and the central business area.

Following years of abandonment, Governor Mutfwang’s administration revived and completed the project, which includes a nine-span flyover bridge, an underpass, and four slip roads designed to seamlessly integrate surrounding communities and facilitate movement over the Utonkon railway crossing.

“This is not the result of surplus resources,” the governor remarked, “but of deliberate prudence and prioritisation. This road has significantly enhanced economic activities and improved the quality of life for residents in the area. It aligns with the vision for a well-planned, inclusive, and accessible Jos metropolis.”

Commending the project, the Plateau State Commissioner for Works, Joshua Ubandoma, highlighted the resilience and commitment of the current administration in reviving a project long considered abandoned.

“This infrastructure remained incomplete for over eight years. The governor’s leadership has ensured its completion, demonstrating that effective governance is possible even within financial constraints,” he said.

In a similar vein, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Sylvanus Dongtoe, praised the governor’s determination to see the project through.

“The completion of this bridge and its adjoining roads is a milestone in the execution of the Greater Jos Master plan. It not only connects physical spaces but fosters social and economic integration across the State,” he observed.

The project, which links the Old Airport Road with the Jos Central Business District, is expected to significantly reduce travel time, ease congestion, and open new economic opportunities for residents and businesses in the area. It also provides improved access to essential services for neighbouring communities.

Residents of Utonkon and its environs expressed their appreciation to the State government for completing the long-abandoned infrastructure.

Many gathered at the commissioning site, some with cultural displays, to witness what they described as a transformative development for their communities.

With additional projects underway and a comprehensive assessment of over 3,000 kilometres of roads ongoing, the commissioning of the Utonkon Bridge stands as a testament to Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to infrastructure renewal and sustainable urban development.

It is, as he affirmed, “a clear dividend of democracy and a promise fulfilled.”

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