Minister of Works David Umahi has said that the Federal Government is executing 1,055 kilometres of road projects in Niger State.
Speaking on Tuesday at the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora Federal Highway in Bida, Niger State, the Minister said the government is constructing 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects nationwide.
Umahi, who described the project as part of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure development programme, said the President needed another four-year term to complete the numerous road projects initiated across the country, adding that the administration was committed to improving road infrastructure in all geopolitical zones.
He described the Niger highway project as a potential fifth legacy road project of the Tinubu administration, citing its scale, the use of reinforced concrete pavement and the involvement of the Dangote Group under the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme.
According to him, the President’s ongoing infrastructure programme covers several states, with Niger benefiting from a substantial share of the road construction projects.
He also said 162 kilometres of roads and 115 metres of bridges had been completed in the North-Central region.
Umahi commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his investments in infrastructure, saying the governor had constructed more than 300 kilometres of roads, over five flyovers and an underpass.
He said Bago’s approach to road construction demonstrated his commitment to development, regardless of whether a road fell under federal or state government jurisdiction.
The minister attributed the infrastructure development recorded across states to the economic reforms introduced by Tinubu, arguing that the reforms had created opportunities for governments to invest in critical projects.
He praised the President for approving the Niger highway project, which he said would improve connectivity within the state and strengthen road links between the North-Central region and other parts of the country.
The Special Adviser to the President of the Dangote Group, Mansir Ahmed, said the company was pleased to participate in the project through the infrastructure tax-credit scheme, describing the highway as a strategic corridor for Nigeria’s economy.
He said the road would be constructed with concrete pavement rather than conventional asphalt and that work would commence from four locations to accelerate delivery.
Mansir said the completed highway would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, commercial goods and industrial materials while creating opportunities for businesses and young people.
The road project is expected to improve transportation, reduce travel delays and strengthen access to markets for farming communities along the corridor.
Niger State Governor, who represented the President, described the highway project as a major intervention in a strategic transportation corridor linking communities and facilitating the movement of people and goods between different parts of the country.
He pledged to deliver the highest number of votes nationwide for President Bola Tinubu in the next election, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments in the state.
Bago thanked the President for approving major road projects expected to improve transportation and economic activities across Niger State.
