FG FLAGS OFF 122KM KADUNA-BIRNIN GWARI ROAD AS UMAHI HAILS TINUBU’S REFORMS
The Federal Government on Tuesday flagged off the reconstruction of the 122KM Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road, with the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, describing it as “the shortest route to Lagos State” that will connect 5 states and boost trade across Northern Nigeria.
Umahi said the project is proof that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are yielding results in infrastructure, security, and food production under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the Afaka Mando Arena during the official flag-off, the Minister said the road will significantly reduce travel time and open new economic corridors.
“By doing this road the President is shortening the distance between the north and Lagos. This is the shortest route to Lagos State. Because by the time it gets to Birnin Gwari, it leads to Niger then it connects Kwara, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos. What more can we say, this is a very important road,” he said.
The Minister added that the administration is using strategic road infrastructure to tackle economic challenges, insecurity, hunger and years of regional imbalance.
“We are using this road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on ground, we are using road infrastructure to fight the insecurity we met on the ground, we are using road building to fight hunger we met on the ground, we are using this road infrastructure to fight the injustices we met on ground where some State had no federal project like Plateau, Gombe, Ebonyi and even Kaduna.”
Dismissing claims that the FG is prioritizing new roads over existing ones, Umahi listed several ongoing rehabilitation projects.
“People say that we are doing new roads and abandoning old roads, is this 122km a new road?… Is the Sokoto to Zamfara down to Funtua down to Zaria, is it a new road, is the Enugu to Onitsha costing the President 350 Billion, is it a new road? The road from Makurdi to 9th Mile, is it new? The Bodo Bonny road, is it new? And the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.”
He described road infrastructure as “a catalyst” for national development, noting its impact on GDP, agriculture, commerce and education.
“When a road is built it is a catalyst. It is a GDP that grows other GDPs. When a road is built insecurity is minimized, there is an agricultural revolution. When a road is built there is an increase in commerce and education and that is what this Divine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing.”
In a statement by Francis Nwaze,
SSA Media to the Minister, Senator Umahi also recalled improved security on the Abuja–Kaduna road since reconstruction began, saying attacks that once made travel dangerous are now “a thing of the past.”
Umahi congratulated Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for securing presidential approval for a 50-kilometre internal light rail project valued at $868 million.
“Governor, let me congratulate you a very big one. Internal light rail in Kaduna State has been approved by the President, it is a 50km light rail worth $868 million. This is a big one, you’re a goal getter.”
President Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by Governor Uba Sani, who said the flag-off fulfills a promise President Tinubu made to Birnin Gwari residents even before his election, despite security challenges in the area.
“No President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has done what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for us here in Northern Nigeria and I challenge anyone to come up with anything contrary to what I am saying. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot for us. We thank him for the love for the North, for the love for humanity, for the love for progress.”
The Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, commended President Tinubu and the Governors of affected states for gains recorded in the fight against insecurity, noting that farmers have returned to their farms after years of displacement.
Calling for constructive engagement, Umahi urged critics to offer suggestions that help government improve service delivery.
“Democracy is by choice, the people criticizing us should be constructive, it should not be insulting, deceitful, or saying mundane things. I can testify that when you criticize us constructively we have always gone to attend to such.”
