FG begins rehabilitation of roads in Borno to reopen state’s trade corridors
—Road projects under Tinubu will boost commerce, post-insurgency recovery – Shettima
—Attends wedding fatiha of associates’ children
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
The Federal Government has flagged off the rehabilitation of the Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads in Borno State, describing the projects as strategic investments aimed at improving trade, security, agriculture and post-insurgency recovery in the North-East.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony on Saturday, said the projects underscore the administration’s commitment to restoring mobility, rebuilding economic confidence and reconnecting communities affected by years of insurgency and infrastructural neglect.
He said the two road corridors would enhance cross-border trade, improve access for security agencies and support economic activities within the region.
According to Shettima, road infrastructure is central to sustainable peace and economic recovery, noting that poor road networks increase the cost of doing business, hinder agricultural productivity and limit access to essential services.
“Roads are the lifeline of our commercial engagements. They determine whether the farmer reaches the market, the trader reaches the customer, the child reaches school, the patient reaches healthcare and security agencies can respond to communities in time,” he said.
The Vice President said the Bama-Banki corridor and the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala road are of strategic importance because they connect Nigeria with neighbouring countries and facilitate trade and regional integration.
He explained that the projects would include reinforced concrete pavement, bridges, drainage systems and other supporting infrastructure to ensure durability and value for public funds.
Shettima commended Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for prioritising infrastructure as part of the state’s reconstruction efforts, describing the collaboration between the federal and state governments as a model for development.
He also praised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, and the Borno State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Adam Bukar Balarabe, for their contributions to the projects.
Assuring residents of Bama, Banki, Dikwa, Gamboru-Ngala and adjoining communities, the Vice President said the Federal Government was committed to completing the road projects.
Earlier, Governor Zulum said the roads would strengthen commercial activities in Borno State and improve trade with Chad, Cameroon and the Republic of Niger.
He described infrastructure as a key driver of socio-economic development and thanked President Tinubu for supporting the reconstruction and development of the North-East.
The governor also acknowledged the support of the Dangote Group, which he said had donated schools, healthcare facilities, food items and humanitarian assistance to the state.
Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed that the projects, initially awarded in 2021, had been reviewed due to rising costs, with the Bama-Banki Road now valued at over ₦70 billion and the Dikwa-Gamboru Road at over ₦67 billion for their first phases.
He expressed confidence that the projects would be completed under the current administration.
Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, described the projects as a major boost to regional commerce, saying they would strengthen the Trans-Saharan trade corridor and contribute to improved security in the North-East.
Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, whose company is supporting the projects under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme, said the roads would enhance trade between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
He noted that the Dangote Group had executed over 1,000 kilometres of roads worth more than ₦3 trillion under similar arrangements and pledged continued support for infrastructure development across the country.
Separately, Vice President Shettima attended the wedding fatiha of the children of two of his associates during his visit to Maiduguri.
He joined family members and guests at the wedding ceremonies of five sons of Alhaji Ali Gujja, popularly known as Empire, and the daughter of Alhaji Bala Mohammed Bukar, where he prayed for peaceful and successful marriages for the newlyweds.