Tinubu’s Reforms Delivering Growth, Security Through Road Infrastructure — Umahi as FG Flags Off 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road
Subheadline:
Minister says strategic road projects are reducing insecurity, boosting agriculture and expanding economic opportunities across Nigeria.
The Federal Government has officially flagged off the reconstruction of the 122-kilometre Kaduna (Mando)–Birnin Gwari Road, with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are already producing tangible results through massive investments in critical infrastructure.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held on Tuesday at the Afaka Mando Arena in Kaduna State, Umahi described the road project as another fulfilled campaign promise by President Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that it would enhance regional connectivity, stimulate economic activities and improve security across the country.
According to the Minister, the administration is strategically deploying road infrastructure to address key national challenges, including insecurity, food shortages and economic stagnation.
“We are using road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on the ground. We are using road infrastructure to fight insecurity, reduce hunger and correct the imbalance where some states had little or no federal projects,” he said.
Umahi explained that the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road would provide a shorter transport corridor linking Northern Nigeria to Lagos through Niger, Kwara, Osun and Oyo states, significantly reducing travel time and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
“This is one of the most important roads in the country because it shortens the distance between the North and Lagos and opens up new economic opportunities,” he added.
The Minister also noted that ongoing reconstruction works on the Abuja–Kaduna Road have significantly improved security along the corridor, which was previously notorious for attacks on commuters.
Responding to criticisms that the Federal Government was prioritising new road projects over existing ones, Umahi dismissed the claims, pointing to several ongoing rehabilitation projects nationwide, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Road, Enugu–Onitsha Road, Makurdi–9th Mile Road, Bodo–Bonny Road and the Sokoto–Zamfara–Funtua–Zaria corridor.
He stressed that road infrastructure remains a major driver of national development, saying investments in transportation create multiplier effects across agriculture, commerce, education and other sectors of the economy.
“When roads are built, insecurity is reduced, agricultural production increases, commerce expands and economic growth is stimulated,” he said.
Umahi also congratulated Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on securing presidential approval for a proposed 50-kilometre light rail project in Kaduna valued at 868 million dollars, describing it as another landmark development for the state.
He further urged Nigerians to embrace constructive criticism in strengthening democratic governance, noting that the Federal Government remains open to genuine feedback aimed at improving service delivery.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented at the event by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people of Birnin Gwari.
Governor Sani recalled that before assuming office, Tinubu visited Birnin Gwari despite the prevailing security challenges and pledged to reconstruct the road while restoring lasting peace to the area.
He described the commencement of the project as evidence of the President’s commitment to keeping his promises.
The governor also commended President Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented support for Northern Nigeria, saying the administration had demonstrated a strong commitment to infrastructure development and regional progress.
Also speaking, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, praised the Federal Government and the governors of the affected states for the progress recorded in tackling insecurity, noting that improved security had enabled farmers to return to their farmlands after years of displacement.
The reconstruction of the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road is expected to improve transportation, strengthen economic integration between Northern and Southern Nigeria, enhance agricultural productivity and support the Federal Government’s broader infrastructure-led development strategy.
