The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has affirmed that the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, are yielding measurable results across the country, with strategic road infrastructure driving economic growth, improving security, reducing hunger and reconnecting communities.
The Minister made the statement on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, during the official flag-off of the reconstruction of the 122KM Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road at the Afaka Mando Arena in Kaduna State. He described the project as another fulfilled promise by President Tinubu and a major step towards strengthening regional connectivity, stimulating commerce and expanding economic opportunities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are using this road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on ground, we are using road infrastructure to fight the insecurity we met on the ground, we are using road building to fight hunger we met on the ground, we are using this road infrastructure to fight the injustices we met on ground where some state had no federal project like Plateau, Gombe, Ebonyi and even Kaduna.”
Umahi emphasized that the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road is one of President Tinubu’s promises fulfilled, noting that the project will significantly reduce travel time between Northern Nigeria and Lagos while opening up new economic routes. “By doing this road the president is shortening the distance between the north and Lagos. This is the shortest route to Lagos State. Because by the time it gets to Birnin Gwari, it leads to Niger then it connects Kwara, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos. What more can we say this is a very important road.”
The Minister also recalled the security challenges that once characterized the Abuja–Kaduna road, affirming that the reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna Road has changed the narrative. “I was told that before now it was a bad idea traveling from Abuja to Kaduna because of countless attacks but it is now a thing of the past since the Abuja-Kaduna road project started.”
Responding to claims that the Federal Government is abandoning existing roads in favour of new ones, Umahi dismissed the criticism, citing several major rehabilitation projects currently underway across the country.“People say that we are doing new roads and abandoning old roads, is this 122km a new road?… Is the Sokoto to Zamfara down to Funtua down to Zaria, is it a new road, is the Enugu to Onitsha costing the President 350 Billion, is it a new road? The road from Makurdi to 9th Mile, is it new? The Bodo Bonny road, is it new? And the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.”
He further noted that road infrastructure remains the foundation for national development, explaining that investment in roads stimulates every sector of the economy. “When a road is built it is a catalyst. It is a GDP that grows other GDPs. When a road is built insecurity is minimized, there is an agricultural revolution. When a road is built there is an increase in commerce and education and that is what this Divine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing.”
Umahi also congratulated Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for securing presidential approval for a 50-kilometre internal light rail project valued at $868 million. “Governor let me congratulate you a very big one internal light rail in Kaduna State has been approved by the President, it is a 50km light rail worth $868 million. This is a big one, you’re a goal getter.”
Calling for responsible democratic engagement, the Minister urged critics of the administration to offer constructive criticism that will help government improve service delivery. “Democracy is by choice, the people criticizing us should be constructive, it should not be insulting, deceitful, or saying mundane things. I can testify that when you criticize us constructively we have always gone to attend to such.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was represented at the ceremony by the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who reaffirmed the President’s commitment to the people of Birnin Gwari.
Governor Sani recalled that before becoming President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Birnin Gwari despite the severe security challenges in the area and promised to reconstruct the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road and restore lasting peace to the community. He noted that the flag-off of the project is a clear demonstration that the President keeps his promises.
Commending President Tinubu, Governor Sani explained that no previous administration has shown the level of commitment to Northern Nigeria demonstrated by the current President.“No President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has done what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for us here in Northern Nigeria and I challenge everyone to come up with anything contrary to what I am saying. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot for us. We thank him for the love for the North, for the love for humanity, for the love for progress.”
Also speaking, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, commended President Tinubu and the governors of the affected states for the significant gains recorded in the fight against insecurity, noting that farmers have returned to their farms after years of fear and displacement.
