By Chika Okeke
The Federal Government has commenced its landmark project with the rehabilitation of the Bama-Banki Road and the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala Road in Borno, meant to cripple insecurity in the State.
During the flag-off ceremony at Muna City Gate, Km 10 along the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru Road over the weekend, the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi said that the projects are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to complete long-abandoned strategic road infrastructure and use development as a tool for restoring peace and prosperity.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon courage by reviving projects that had remained on the drawing board for years.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man destined to retake this country. It is very certain that all that was impossible to be done before are now being done. One of the projects from Kano-Maiduguri, whose Section 5 is here, was awarded in 2006. It is this President that is actualizing the sections that have not been completed, especially the one in Maiduguri. The Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala Roads were awarded in 2021, but it is this President that is actualizing them. That means he is a great dreamer, thinker and actualizer, with the audacity to do the impossible,” Umahi said.
The Minister stressed that the projects go beyond road construction, noting that they form part of President Tinubu’s broader security strategy for the country.
“These road infrastructure projects are part of the larger programme of President Tinubu in fighting insecurity. When these projects are completed, our people in the North-East will benefit because they lead to Chad and Cameroon. But the greater interest is that our military forces will have roads to combat whatever might be left of the insurgency,” he stated.
Represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, he noted the strategic importance of quality roads in addressing insecurity, saying that infrastructure and national security are inseparable.
“Bad roads are also a security risk. A corridor that is difficult for citizens to travel is equally difficult for security personnel to patrol and protect,” the Vice President said, describing the roads as projects of special strategic weight.
He commended the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo for driving the implementation of the projects.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum described the event as another milestone in the state’s journey towards lasting peace and recovery.
“It is not just the commencement of two major infrastructure projects in Borno State, but it symbolizes renewed hope for our people and a stronger commitment to restoring normalcy across our state. They are immensely strategic because they connect communities affected by insurgency and facilitate the movement of people as well as access to markets and essential services,” the Governor said.
President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote attributed the successful commencement of the projects to the strong collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector, while paying glowing tribute to the leadership style of the Minister of Works.
Dangote further described the Minister as a hands-on administrator who is deeply committed to infrastructure delivery.
“The Minister shows up at meetings with a sharpened pencil and paper, sketching roads and bridges whenever we run into challenges. I believe the Minister truly enjoys this job as a passion and would rather be in the sun with his hat, engaging contractors and holding them accountable, than be behind his desk,” he added.
He noted that the flag-off is another milestone in Nigeria’s infrastructure development drive, disclosing that the Dangote Group is currently constructing about 12 road projects across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Altogether, these projects span over 1,000 kilometres, representing a combined investment of more than ₦3 trillion in high-quality concrete roads, I want to assure the Government that we are a highly tax-paying company and we can take on more roads,” Dangote added.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyeso described the road as historic and applauded President Tinubu for giving it the attention it deserved.
Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi praised the cordial working relationship between the Federal Ministry of Works and the National Assembly.
