By HAMZA SULEIMAN

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday flagged-off a N137 billion rehabilitation work on the Bama–Banki Road and the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road in Borno.

He said during the ceremony that the roads, when fully completed would boost trade, agricultural activities and enhance efficiency in security operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project area lies in the Northeastern part of Nigeria, in Borno, and borders the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon.

The existing road is a single carriage of two lanes 49.15km in total length and begins at Bama town at the Cameron border.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said that Bama–Banki Road and the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road were key to the restoration of trans-Saharan trade between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameron Republics which had been damaged by the 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,” he said.

Earlier, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group and the contractors handling the projects, said his group had 12 major roads covering over 1,000km in the six geo-political zones.

Dangote said that the projects put together cost the Federal Government about N3 trillion under the Federal Government Roads Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

He stated that the Bama-Bank Road, and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala Road would open up Nigeria’s economy, facilitate military operations, thereby improving security and attract investors.

In his address, the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, said that the projects were first awarded in 2021 at a combined cost of about N55 billion but construction was delayed due to insecurity-related challenges.

Umahi said that the projects were later reviewed and that phase I was cost at N70 billion Bama–Banki while phase II Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala cost N67 billion.

Umahi said that the projects would adopt the concrete technology system which offered superior performance, long lifespan, reduced maintenance requirements, and gave greater value for money.

According to him, the scope of works also includes the construction and maintenance of bridges along the route, road furniture traffic safety facilities and other ancillary works to improve road usage.

He said that the Dikwa – Gamboru –Ngala road was part of the trunk 95.A3 major North – Southerly route, adding that it started at the road-over-rail bridge on the Port Harcourt township boundary and continuing to Aba – Oktupa – Oturkpo – Alaide – Makurdi -Lafiya- Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi Kari- Potiskum – Maiduguri and -Dikwa – Gamboru – Ngala, the Nigerian border to Cameroon.

The minister said that when completed, the roads would enhance the movement of farm produce, trade, improve transportation quality, boost businesses and give greater access to security agencies in their operations.

In his remarks, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, also said the interventions were very vital for the state’s recovery efforts, adding that the Roads would expand economic activities to Chad, Cameroon, and the Niger Republic. (NAN)

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