Tinubu to commission 29.5km Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi Highway at 3rd anniversary
As the federal government intensifies its push to deliver key road infrastructure across the country, plans have been concluded for President Bola Tinubu to mark his third year in office with the commissioning of the 29.5 kilometre Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi highway in Niger State.
The planned commissioning was confirmed during a media tour of ongoing and completed federal road projects in Niger State.
The tour was aimed at assessing progress as well as showcase milestones recorded under the Tinubu administration.
Speaking to journalists during the inspection, the Federal Controller of Works in Niger State, Engr. Aluko Eyitayo, said that Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi road, being handled by Gerawa Nigeria Limited, has made significant headway, with asphalt works completed on about 16 kilometres of the total stretch, while construction activities remain active on site.
Eyitayo while expressing confidence that the project would be completed in time for the President’s anniversary, noted that the quality and pace of work were satisfactory.
He assured that, barring unforeseen challenges, the Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi road would be ready for commissioning before May 29, adding that improved security efforts have allowed contractors to return to previously affected sites and continue work across the state.
“I can tell you that in the next two to three months, that road (Bida-Zungeru-Wushishi) will be completed because out of the 29.5 kilometers of that road, the contractor has achieved about 17 kilometers asphaltic binder course and then within the next four weeks, the wearing course, the final course will come in.
“So I’m very, very sure that that project will be completed before May 29 and ready for commission.” Eyitayo said
Further briefing journalists, Engr. Eyitayo outlined the status of other federal roads in the state, including the Minna–Zungeru–Tegina–Kontagora highway, a major link between the North Central and North West, where contractors have completed substantial portions despite earlier security challenges that slowed progress on some sections.
“We just came back from some of the projects ongoing in Niger State and we went to two roads that were just been commissioned today.
“The Gwada to Shiroro road where we also commissioned the two by two box covers that has collapsed about three years ago.
“That incident caused a kind of disconnect between Gwada and Shiroro road. But today the box cover has been constructed and the Gwada to Shiroro road travel time has reduced.
“Then we also commissioned emergency repairs of some bad sections from Gwada to Shiroro road.
“We also went to Bida-Zungeru-Wushishi road, presently being constructed by Gerawa Nigeria Limited.
“The total length of that road is 29.5 kilometers. The contractor has done satisfactorily well because out of the 29.5 kilometers, they’ve accomplished about 16 kilometers asphalting by that course. And the contractor is on site. The quality of work is satisfactory.
“Also we have Minna-Zungeru-Tegini-Kotangora. This road is a vital link between the North Central and the North West. It links the North Central to the North-West through Kebbi State.
“And the contractors have performed satisfactorily well, but due to the high level of insecurity on some other zones, it’s really, really affected some of them, especially the Tegina to Kotangura.
“We’ve had cases of banditry attacks, several cases of militant attacks that the contractor had to demobilize from site for several months. But evidently now, all the contractors are back to site and they are working.”
He also disclosed that the Suleja–Minna road, previously stalled due to poor contractor performance, has been re-procured and will soon be re-awarded to new firms to enable work to resume.
As part of the tour, residents of Gwada community gathered in large numbers to celebrate the commissioning of the 25.7 kilometre Gwada–Shiroro road, including emergency repairs on damaged sections and the reconstruction of a collapsed 2 by 2 metre box culvert that had previously cut off access along the route.
Community leaders and road users praised the intervention, saying it had restored mobility, reduced travel time, and revived economic activities in the area.
Alhassan Zaremai, a community leader, described the road linking Gwada to the Shiroro power plant as a major development that had brought lasting benefits, while another resident, Hasan Turaki, said the project had ended years of hardship caused by poor road conditions and frequent accidents.
The projects were formally commissioned by the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Niger State chapter, Uraya Gana.
