Umahi Says Tinubu Expanding Northern Economic Corridor, Flags Off Reconstruction of 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road
By Raphael Ekpang
Kaduna (Core Reporters) – The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said the reconstruction of the 122-kilometre Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road by the President Bola Tinubu administration is a strategic move aimed at expanding the Northern economic corridor and accelerating economic development.
Umahi stated this on Tuesday during the official flag-off of the road reconstruction project in Kaduna, where he also declared that President Tinubu’s economic reforms are already yielding tangible results through strategic investments in road infrastructure.
According to the minister, the administration is using infrastructure development to stimulate economic growth, improve security, reduce hunger and reconnect communities across the country.
“We are using road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on ground, fight insecurity, reduce hunger and address the injustices where some states had no federal projects,” he said.
Umahi explained that the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road will become the shortest route linking Northern Nigeria to Lagos through Niger, Kwara, Osun and Oyo states, significantly reducing travel time, facilitating trade and opening new economic corridors.
He also noted that the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna Highway has improved security along the route, recalling that the road was once notorious for frequent attacks but has become safer since rehabilitation commenced.
Dismissing claims that the Federal Government is abandoning existing roads in favour of new projects, the minister listed major rehabilitation works currently underway, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Highway, Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Makurdi–9th Mile Road, Bodo–Bonny Road and the Sokoto–Zamfara–Funtua–Zaria corridor.
He described road infrastructure as the foundation of national development, stressing that investments in roads drive agriculture, commerce, education and overall economic growth.
Umahi also congratulated Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on securing presidential approval for a 50-kilometre intra-city light rail project valued at $868 million, describing it as a landmark achievement for the state.
He urged Nigerians to offer constructive criticism that would help government improve service delivery, rather than engaging in attacks or misinformation.
Representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, Governor Uba Sani said the reconstruction of the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road fulfilled a promise the President made during a visit to Birnin Gwari before assuming office, despite the security challenges facing the area at the time.
The governor praised Tinubu’s commitment to Northern Nigeria, maintaining that no previous administration had matched the scale of infrastructure and development projects currently being executed in the region.
Also speaking, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, commended President Tinubu and the governors of the affected states for the significant improvements in security, noting that many farmers had returned to their farms after years of fear and displacement.
