The Federal Government’s (FG) Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu garnered praise for its focus on infrastructure development, particularly in Niger State.
At a town hall meeting in Minna, stakeholders commended the administration while calling for decisive actions on lingering road projects.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, highlighted progress on the 125-kilometre Niger State segment of the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a legacy project passing through seven states.
Mr Umahi emphasised the project’s potential to boost socio-economic activities along its corridor, directly benefiting residents and businesses. Despite the optimism, Umahi expressed disappointment over the state of ongoing road projects in Niger.
He criticised the contractor handling the Suleja-Minna dualization for its inefficiency, noting that the project, awarded in 2010, remains unfinished despite claims of 84% completion.
He announced plans to summon contractors for a crucial meeting and vowed to prioritize quality and timely completion of projects.
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Governor Mohammed Umar Bago echoed these concerns, urging the FG to revoke the Suleja-Minna road contract due to the contractor’s lack of capacity.
He advocated for engaging reliable contractors and unveiled plans to establish a cement factory in Niger to support the administration’s shift to concrete pavements in road construction.
Stakeholders, including traditional rulers and lawmakers, lauded the FG efforts but urged it to declare a “state of emergency” on Niger’s dilapidated federal roads. Sani Musa and Akin Alabi highlighted the need for swift action on critical infrastructure, including the Zungeru Bridge and other key roads.
Traditional rulers and community representatives also called for adequate compensation for those affected by the Sokoto-Badagry project, pledging their support for its successful execution.
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The meeting underscored the FG’s commitment to improving infrastructure nationwide, with stakeholders emphasising collaboration to ensure sustainable development across Niger State and beyond.
