President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the rehabilitation of two major federal roads in Borno State valued at N137 billion, saying the projects will enhance trade, agriculture and security across Nigeria’s North-East corridor.
The projects include the 49.15-kilometre Bama–Banki Road and the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road, both linking Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the flag-off ceremony on Saturday, Tinubu said the roads are strategic to reviving trans-Saharan trade with Cameroon and Chad, which had been disrupted by years of insurgency.
“Bad roads are also a security risk. A corridor that is difficult for citizens to travel is equally difficult for security personnel to patrol and protect.
Promises acquire meaning when citizens can drive on the roads, move their goods, reach their families and live with greater security,” the President said.
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, whose company is executing the projects under the Federal Government’s Roads Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, said the company is currently handling 12 major road projects spanning over 1,000 kilometres across the country’s six geopolitical zones at a total cost of about N3 trillion.
Dangote noted that the Bama–Banki and Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala roads would stimulate economic activities, improve security, facilitate military operations and attract investment to the region.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the contracts were initially awarded in 2021 for about N55 billion but were delayed due to insecurity. He explained that the contracts were later reviewed, bringing the Bama–Banki Road to N70 billion and the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road to N67 billion.
According to Umahi, the roads will be constructed using concrete pavement technology for greater durability, lower maintenance costs and longer lifespan. The projects will also include bridges, traffic safety facilities, road furniture and other supporting infrastructure.
He added that the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road forms part of the Trunk A3 Highway, linking Port Harcourt through Aba, Otukpo, Makurdi, Lafia, Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Potiskum, Maiduguri and Dikwa to the Cameroon border.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described the projects as critical to the state’s post-insurgency recovery, saying they would strengthen trade and economic ties with Chad, Cameroon and the Republic of Niger.
