The federal government has officially launched the reconstruction and dualisation of a 401-kilometre highway in Niger State, known as the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora Road. This N1.83 trillion project, financed by the Dangote Group, aims to improve connections between local communities, agricultural areas, and commercial hubs.
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, representing President Bola Tinubu, marked the beginning of this project in Bida. He referred to it as a vital step towards enhancing development in the state and restoring hope for residents relying on this key transportation route.
The government anticipates that the project will facilitate easier movement of people and goods, stimulate economic activities, and open up new opportunities along the corridor. Infrastructure Minister David Umahi highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy, with over 5,500 kilometres of road projects currently underway across the North-central region, including more than 1,000 kilometres in Niger State alone.
Umahi noted that the construction will utilize continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology, ensuring a durable and climate-resilient road surface. He underscored the importance of continuity in infrastructure development, calling for support for the administration to complete existing projects.
In his remarks, Bago thanked President Tinubu for endorsing the highway project, designating it a crucial economic artery for the state. He also pledged to mobilise efforts in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid, emphasizing the significance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in local governance.
Additionally, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, noted urgent palliative works approved by the President for the adjacent Dikko Junction-Maje Road, addressing longstanding issues faced by motorists in the area.
The commitment of the federal government to infrastructure development and economic recovery was further echoed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who reinforced the necessity of transparency in project implementation. The administration aims to bolster economic frameworks that would benefit the agricultural sector.
Senator Allwell Onyesoh and Akin Alabi, chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works, respectively, asserted the project’s importance for national infrastructure policy, reiterating its potential to enhance transportation and bolster economic exchanges across regions.
The Director of Highways, David Yiltong, provided additional insights, projecting that the highway will improve security and service delivery for communities along its route. He underscored its role in enhancing access to markets and agricultural areas.
Representing the Dangote Group, Mansur Ahmed confirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure development and anticipated timely project completion. The group has invested more than N5 trillion in road infrastructure across Nigeria.
Abiodun Essiet, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-central zone, called for collaborative efforts among government tiers and local stakeholders to address community needs effectively. The Secretary to Niger State’s Government, Abubakar Usman, and the Etsu Nupe also expressed gratitude for the federal government’s investments in local infrastructure.
