The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the Federal Government is executing 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects across Nigeria, with Niger State accounting for 1,055 kilometres. Umahi stated this on Tuesday in Bida, Niger State, North Central Nigeria, at the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora Federal Highway.
He said the project was part of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure development programme aimed at improving road connectivity, facilitating trade and promoting economic growth across the country. The minister described the highway as a potential fifth legacy road project of the Tinubu administration, highlighting its length, the use of reinforced concrete pavement and the participation of the Dangote Group through the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme.
According to him, the administration’s road construction programme covers several states, while 162 kilometres of roads and 115 metres of bridges have been completed in the North-Central region. Umahi commended Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his infrastructure investments, saying the governor had constructed more than 300 kilometres of roads, over five flyovers and an underpass.
He said the governor’s approach demonstrated a commitment to development, irrespective of whether a road fell under federal or state government jurisdiction. The minister attributed the infrastructure projects to the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu, which he said had created opportunities for governments to invest in critical infrastructure. Umahi urged Nigerians to support the administration’s ongoing development programmes, arguing that another four-year term would enable the President to complete the numerous road projects initiated across the country.
Also speaking, 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. Ahmed described the highway as a strategic economic corridor and said its construction with concrete pavement, rather than conventional asphalt, would improve durability. He explained that work would commence from four locations simultaneously to accelerate completion.
According to him, the completed highway would ease the movement of agricultural produce, commercial goods and industrial materials while creating business and employment opportunities for young people. The project is expected to improve transportation, reduce travel delays and enhance access to markets for farming communities along the corridor. In his remarks, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the highway as a major intervention in a strategic transportation corridor linking communities and facilitating the movement of people and goods across different parts of the country.
Bago thanked President Tinubu for approving major road projects in the state, saying they would improve transportation and stimulate economic activities. The governor also pledged to deliver the highest number of votes nationwide for President Tinubu in the next election, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments in Niger State.
