The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, has affirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are yielding results, with strategic road infrastructure driving growth, improving security and reconnecting communities across the country.
Umahi stated this during the official flag-off of the reconstruction of the 122KM Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road at the Afaka Mando Arena in Kaduna State.
The Minister, in a statement by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant on Media, described the project as another fulfilled promise by President Tinubu and a major step under the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen regional connectivity and expand economic opportunities.
“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,” Umahi said.
He noted that the road will significantly reduce travel time between Northern Nigeria and Lagos and open new economic routes.
"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."
Umahi also recalled security challenges on the Abuja–Kaduna road, saying reconstruction works have changed the narrative.
"I was told that before now it was a bad idea traveling from Abuja to Kaduna because of countless attacks but it is now a thing of the past since the Abuja-Kaduna road project started."
Responding to criticism that the FG was abandoning old roads, the Minister listed ongoing major rehabilitation projects including Sokoto–Zamfara–Funtua–Zaria, Enugu–Onitsha, Makurdi–9th Mile, Bodo–Bonny, and Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano.
"People say that we are doing new roads and abandoning old roads, is this 122km a new road?… 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."
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."
He urged critics to offer constructive criticism, saying: "Democracy is by choice, the people criticizing us should be constructive, it should not be insulting, deceitful, or saying mundane things."
President Tinubu was represented by Governor Uba Sani, who said the President visited Birnin Gwari before becoming President and promised to reconstruct the road and restore peace.
"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 everyone to come up with anything contrary to what I am saying. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot for us."
The Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, also commended the President and governors of affected states for gains in security, noting that farmers have returned to their farms after years of displacement.