The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to fast-tracking the delivery of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Niger State, following a high-level meeting between the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and the Governor of Niger State, Umaru Mohammed Bago.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, focused on strengthening collaboration to address infrastructure challenges and improve road connectivity across the state.
Umahi commended the Niger State Government for its infrastructure and urban renewal initiatives, noting that several of the interventions are located on federal road corridors and have contributed to improved mobility and economic activities in areas such as Bida, Minna and Suleja.
The Minister assured the Governor of the Federal Government’s support on critical projects, including the seventy-one-kilometre Minna–Suleja Road, which has received approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement and is awaiting consideration by the Federal Executive Council.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed that the project be prioritised, adding that funds earlier expended by the Niger State Government on federal roads would be refunded.
On the Jebba and Lambata bridges, the Minister said integrity tests and work on expansion joints are ongoing, while stressing the need to curb indiscriminate parking, trading activities and traffic congestion on bridges to prevent structural damage.
Umahi also revealed that all NNPC-funded road projects nationwide have been approved for takeover by the Ministry of Works, in line with the President’s directive, with funding arrangements currently being finalised to ensure the continuation of work.
Earlier, Governor Umaru Bago described Niger State as a strategic transport corridor linking Northern and Southern Nigeria, noting that more than one hundred thousand trucks ply major routes in the state daily.
The Governor raised concerns over traffic congestion, infrastructure degradation and security challenges along key corridors, including the Jebba–Lambata–Minna–Suleja axis, and called for urgent intervention to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration to fast-track federal road projects, enhance road safety and stimulate economic growth in Niger State.
