The Federal Government is set to flag off the reconstruction and dualisation of the 376-kilometre Lambata–Bida–Mokwa–Makera–Kontagora Highway in Niger State on Tuesday, October 13, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ceremony, scheduled for noon in Bida, is expected to be attended by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and other government officials.
Dr. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), has welcomed the planned flag-off, describing the project as an important step towards improving transportation and supporting economic activities.
Essiet said the highway would strengthen connections between communities and create better opportunities for farmers, traders and businesses operating along the corridor.
“Improved road connectivity is important to linking farmers to markets, businesses to customers and communities to wider commercial opportunities,” she said.
Niger State plays a significant role in agricultural production, making efficient transportation essential for moving farm produce to markets and distribution centres.
The reconstruction and dualisation of the highway are expected to improve traffic flow, reduce travel delays and enhance road safety when completed.
For farmers and traders, a more reliable road could ease transportation challenges and improve access to buyers, although the extent of these benefits will depend on the project’s quality and timely delivery.
Essiet noted that infrastructure development should translate into practical benefits for residents, particularly communities that depend on road transportation for their livelihoods.
She said, “The ultimate value of this project will be seen in how effectively it connects communities, supports enterprise and improves the movement of people and goods.”
The planned flag-off forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader road development programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve transportation links across the country.
As the project advances, attention will focus on construction quality, the delivery timetable and the completion of a durable highway that meets the needs of road users and communities along the route.
