Tinubu commissions Northern roads at APC campaign flag-off

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned sections of major federal highways in Northern Nigeria during the APC presidential campaign flag-off rally, following a presentation by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on the projects and their progress.

Umahi, who invited the President to the podium to perform the commissioning, highlighted road construction and rehabilitation projects across the North-west and other parts of the country, citing them as evidence of the administration’s infrastructure interventions.

The minister said the federal government had completed hundreds of kilometres of roads in the North-West, while several other projects remained ongoing across the region.

Focusing on the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, Umahi said the first 118-kilometre section had been completed in 13 months, contrasting this with the eight years it took to complete 240 kilometres of an earlier asphalt-paved section.

“Before we came on board, over eight years, 240 kilometres was completed on asphalt pavement. Already, that road is failing,” he said.

Umahi explained that the government had adopted reinforced concrete pavement for the project following Tinubu’s directive, adding that the second section, measuring 164 kilometres, had recorded substantial progress, with more than 144 kilometres completed at the time of his address.

He also said the President directed that the entire Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano highway be equipped with solar-powered streetlights, adding that the lighting would improve visibility and safety for motorists.

The minister further highlighted other federal road projects in the North-West, including the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and roads linking communities across the region. He said the projects were part of the administration’s efforts to improve connectivity and facilitate economic activities.

Umahi commended the Kaduna State governor for his involvement in monitoring the highway project, saying he had also personally followed up to ensure its delivery before inviting Tinubu to commission the completed section.