• Umahi Highlights 348km Completed Roads, 4,084km Ongoing Projects in North-West
By | Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has showcased the Federal Government’s road infrastructure projects across the North-West as the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally flagged off its zonal presidential campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Umahi, who also serves as Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, highlighted the administration’s road construction achievements and ongoing projects during the campaign rally held at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
According to figures presented by the minister, the Federal Government has completed 348 kilometres of inherited and newly initiated road projects, while 4,084 kilometres of road projects are ongoing and another 1,811 kilometres are partially completed.
He said the figures reflected the scale of the Renewed Hope administration’s infrastructure investment, noting that road development remained critical to economic growth, regional connectivity, agricultural productivity and commercial activities across the country.
The minister emphasised that improved road networks would reduce transportation difficulties, facilitate trade, strengthen agricultural supply chains, create employment opportunities and improve access to essential services.
He noted that better roads would also enable farmers to transport their produce to markets more efficiently, help traders move goods at lower costs and connect rural communities to major economic centres.
Highlighting key interventions in the North-West, Umahi identified sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway among the strategic road projects intended to strengthen connectivity between the Federal Capital Territory and major commercial centres in Kaduna and Kano states.
He also highlighted the 118-kilometre Lot 1 section of the expressway, alongside the 30-kilometre Kano section and the 81-kilometre Tungan Maje–Jere alignment, as part of the road interventions presented at the rally.
According to him, improved conditions along the strategic corridor would facilitate passenger movement, boost trade, support the distribution of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, reduce vehicle operating costs and improve transportation efficiency for commuters and businesses.
The minister further identified road construction interventions in Kano State, including the Northern Bypass, the dualisation of the Kano–Maiduguri Road, Section I (Kano–Shuwarin), and the Yakasai–Badume–Damargu–Marken Jalli Road.
He explained that sustained investment in road infrastructure could strengthen links between agricultural production areas and urban markets, improve the movement of goods and services, and encourage investment across the North-West states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Jigawa.
Umahi, however, stressed the importance of adequate funding, effective supervision, timely execution, adherence to engineering standards and sustainable maintenance to ensure that ongoing projects are completed and existing roads remain safe and serviceable.
President Tinubu, addressing the gathering, urged eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the 2027 general elections.
The President called on Nigerians to support the APC at all levels, declaring, “Vote APC from top to bottom, APC everywhere.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure delivery and other development programmes aimed at improving the welfare and prosperity of Nigerians. He also commended governors, traditional rulers, youths and other stakeholders for their contributions to national development.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also highlighted the administration’s development interventions across Northern Nigeria, particularly in road infrastructure, agriculture, regional connectivity and economic expansion.
Shettima commended Tinubu for recognising the infrastructure challenges confronting the North and prioritising interventions intended to address them. He maintained that improved road networks were essential for connecting farmers to markets, facilitating commercial activities and promoting inclusive development.
The Vice President also expressed confidence in continued political support for the President from Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, urged Nigerians to assess government performance through verifiable achievements and tangible development outcomes rather than relying solely on narratives circulating on social media.
He encouraged voters to examine completed projects, ongoing interventions and fulfilled commitments in determining the performance of the administration.
Similarly, the Director-General of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, called on party supporters and political stakeholders, particularly in Northern Nigeria, to reject misinformation and promote constructive political engagement.
A major highlight of the rally was the presentation of APC flags to seven governors from the North-West seeking re-election. The flags were presented by the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as part of the APC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The rally attracted party leaders, governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, political mobilisers, youth groups, women’s organisations and supporters from different parts of the country.
Tinubu was accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Vice President Shettima and his wife, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima; governors, lawmakers and other senior party officials.
The Kaduna rally provided the APC with a platform to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid while highlighting the Federal Government’s infrastructure priorities and reported progress on road projects across the North-West.
The ultimate impact of the projects, however, will depend on their timely completion, proper maintenance and ability to deliver measurable improvements in transportation, agricultural productivity, commerce and the livelihoods of communities across the region.
