The Federal Government has flagged off the reconstruction of the 122-kilometre Kaduna (Mando)–Birnin Gwari Road, Tuesday with Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declaring that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to yield measurable results through massive investments in transport infrastructure aimed at boosting trade, improving security and stimulating agricultural production.
During the groundbreaking ceremony at the Afaka Mando Area in Kaduna State, Engr Umahi said the road project represents another major milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that infrastructure has become one of the administration’s strongest economic recovery tools.
Umahi said the reconstruction of the strategic highway will reconnect communities, open new commercial corridors linking Northern Nigeria with the South-West and significantly reduce travel time for passengers and freight moving to Lagos.
“The President is using road infrastructure to solve the economic challenges we inherited. We are using roads to fight insecurity, reduce hunger, stimulate agriculture and correct years of infrastructure imbalance across the federation,” Umahi said.
The Minister described the 122km corridor as one of the country’s most strategic economic routes, explaining that motorists travelling through Birnin Gwari would have a shorter connection to Niger, Kwara, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States, thereby lowering transportation costs and enhancing interstate commerce.
He argued that improved road connectivity would accelerate economic activities by making it easier for agricultural produce and manufactured goods to move across markets while encouraging private sector investments.
Sen Umahi also linked ongoing federal road projects to improving security, noting that the rehabilitation of the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway has significantly changed public perception of travelling along the once dangerous corridor.
Responding to criticisms that the Federal Government was focusing on new projects while abandoning old highways, the Minister insisted that the current administration is investing heavily in the rehabilitation of existing federal roads nationwide.
He cited ongoing reconstruction works on the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Sokoto–Zamfara–Funtua–Zaria Road, Makurdi–Ninth Mile Road and the Bodo–Bonny Road, among others.
According to him, roads remain the foundation upon which economic growth is built because they improve access to farms, schools, markets and industrial hubs.
He also announced that President Tinubu has approved a 50-kilometre Kaduna Internal Light Rail Project valued at $868 million, describing it as one of the biggest urban transportation investments approved for Kaduna State.
Representing President Tinubu at the ceremony, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the commencement of the project fulfilled a promise the President made to the people of Birnin Gwari before assuming office.
The Governor recalled that Tinubu visited Birnin Gwari during one of its most difficult security periods and assured residents that the road would be reconstructed while efforts would be intensified to restore peace across the area.
“This project is another demonstration that President Bola Tinubu keeps his promises. The reconstruction of this road will transform lives, expand economic opportunities and improve security across the region,” Sani said.
The Governor further argued that no recent administration has invested more in Northern Nigeria’s infrastructure than the current government, citing ongoing road projects and fresh transport investments across the region.
Also speaking, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, commended the Federal Government for sustaining military operations that have improved security in the area.
The Traditional Ruler said the improved security situation has enabled many farmers who abandoned their farmlands because of bandit attacks to resume farming, expressing optimism that the reconstruction of the 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road would further strengthen economic activities and restore confidence among residents and investors.
The project is expected to serve as a critical transport corridor linking Kaduna State with neighbouring states while enhancing trade, improving mobility and supporting the Federal Government’s broader infrastructure-led economic transformation agenda.
