Niger gets 1,055km of federal roads, says Umahi

The Federal Government has committed ₦1.8tn to the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora highway in Niger State, in a project expected to improve trade and transport links across the state.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who represented President Bola Tinubu, flagged off the project in Bida on Tuesday. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said Niger State accounts for 1,055 kilometres of the 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing federal road projects across the country.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the highway would run from Mokwa through Lambata and beyond Kontagora towards Tegina, linking communities and strengthening commercial connections.

Umahi said the highway could become the fifth legacy road project of the Tinubu administration, citing its scale, the use of reinforced concrete pavement and the participation of the Dangote Group through the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme.

Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Group, its presidential adviser, Mansir Ahmed, said the road would be built with concrete rather than conventional asphalt. He added that construction would begin simultaneously at four locations to speed up delivery.

Ahmed said the completed highway would ease the transportation of agricultural produce, commercial goods and industrial materials while creating employment and business opportunities.

Umahi also disclosed that 162 kilometres of roads and 115 metres of bridges had been completed in the North-Central region. He praised Bago’s infrastructure projects in Niger State, saying the governor had constructed more than 300 kilometres of roads, over five flyovers and an underpass.

Bago thanked the Federal Government for approving major road projects in the state and pledged to mobilise the highest number of votes nationwide for Tinubu in the next election, citing the administration’s infrastructure investments.

The highway is expected to reduce travel delays, improve road safety and strengthen access to markets for farmers, traders and businesses along the corridor.