The Federal Government has flagged off the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora highway in Niger State, with the project valued at N1.5 trillion.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in Bida, Minister of Works David Umahi called for President Bola Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, arguing that a second term would allow the administration to complete ongoing road projects across the country.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago represented the President at the event.
Umahi Highlights National Road Projects
Umahi said the Federal Government was undertaking about 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects nationwide, with Niger State accounting for 1,055 kilometres.
He described the highway as a potential fifth legacy road project of the Tinubu administration, citing its length, the proposed use of reinforced concrete pavement and the participation of the Dangote Group through the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme.
The minister also said 162 kilometres of roads and 115 metres of bridges had been completed in the North-Central region.
He commended Governor Bago for what he described as significant road development in Niger State, including more than 300 kilometres of roads, over five flyovers and an underpass.
Umahi attributed the administration’s infrastructure spending to its economic reforms, saying the policies had created opportunities for investment in major public projects.
Bago Welcomes Highway Project
Governor Bago described the highway as a strategic transportation corridor that would connect communities, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and improve commercial activities.
He thanked Tinubu for approving the project and other road interventions in the state.
The governor also pledged that Niger State would deliver the highest number of votes nationwide for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Bago urged Nigerians to maintain peace and argued that the President should be allowed to complete a second term before power returned to the North.
Dangote Group to Participate Through Tax-Credit Scheme
Mansir Ahmed, Special Adviser to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, said the company was pleased to participate in the highway project through the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme.
Ahmed described the route as an important economic corridor and said construction would begin from four locations to accelerate delivery.
He added that the highway would use concrete pavement rather than conventional asphalt.
According to him, the project is expected to improve the transportation of agricultural produce, commercial goods and industrial materials while creating employment opportunities for young people.
Officials Point to Economic Benefits
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said the project demonstrated the administration’s infrastructure priorities and urged Nigerians to support its programmes.
The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the highway could strengthen commerce, improve transport links and stimulate economic activity in communities along the route.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, also welcomed the project and pledged the support of traditional institutions.
Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works; Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works; and Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-Central, also highlighted the expected benefits.
The project is expected to improve connectivity across Niger State and strengthen links between the North-Central region and other parts of Nigeria. Its final impact will depend on timely delivery, construction quality and effective maintenance.
