By correspondent in Minna.
Governor Umar Bago of Niger state.
Photo credit: Google.
The Niger State Government has expressed deep concern over the poor state of federal roads traversing the state and has called for urgent intervention from the federal government to address the challenges and prevent further loss of lives along these routes.
While Governor Umar Bago’s administration has taken steps to make some roads passable, the state insists that maintaining and rehabilitating federal roads is the statutory responsibility of the federal government. The government stressed that fulfilling this duty would ease the state’s burden of providing other essential services.
Speaking on the issue, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Mallam Abdulbaqy Usman Ebbo, urged the federal government to take decisive action in repairing the roads. He noted that the state government had rehabilitated several federal roads without reimbursement but could no longer sustain such efforts due to competing priorities like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
“We are calling on the federal government to step up and rehabilitate these roads so that the Governor can focus on delivering other dividends of democracy to the people,” Abdulbaqy stated.
He highlighted several neglected road projects, including the Suleja-Minna road, awarded 14 years ago; the Kontogora-Rijau road, awarded over a decade ago; and the Baro road project, among others. Despite repeated assurances, these projects remain incomplete.
Abdulbaqy revealed that a recent stakeholders’ meeting with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, was convened to address these challenges, and the state is hopeful for a positive response.
The poor state of federal roads, he added, not only hampers local mobility but also discourages potential investors from tapping into Niger State’s abundant resources, including its solid minerals and agricultural potential. “Fixing these roads would significantly boost investor confidence and economic growth in the state,” he concluded.
