The Niger State Government has secured a ₦500 billion loan for the construction of 1000 kilometers of roads across the state. This was announced by Governor Umaru Bago during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the 84-kilometer dual-carriage Minna-Bida road.
The Minna-Bida road is a critical economic route that connects the southern and northern parts of Nigeria. The project, which was initially awarded in February 2020, was stalled due to poor funding and non-compensation, resulting in only seven kilometers being completed before the previous administration’s exit in May 2023.
Governor Bago expressed his ambition for the project, stating that the continuation of the road projects brings relief to the people, and funding has been secured for their actualization. He highlighted the project’s potential to generate 3 million job opportunities and contribute to a ₦5 trillion GDP growth in the next year.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, pledged the federal government’s continued collaboration with state governments to achieve prosperity in the country. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Governor Bago’s achievements in agriculture, citing them as a shining example.
The projects are expected to be completed within 24 months, bringing much-needed infrastructure development to the state and boosting economic growth.