By Joy Onu
Major federal road construction projects across Niger State are progressing steadily despite earlier setbacks caused by insecurity.
The Federal Controller of Works in the state, Engr. Aluko Eyitayo, disclosed this while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing federal road projects on Saturday. He acknowledged that incidents of banditry and violent attacks had previously slowed construction activities on several corridors.
Eyitayo explained that the security situation at the time forced contractors to suspend work for months on some critical roads, significantly affecting project timelines. However, he noted that coordinated efforts by the Federal Government, the Niger State Government and security agencies have helped to stabilise the environment.
According to him, these interventions have restored contractors’ confidence, prompting them to return to their respective sites, with construction activities now back in progress.
One of the affected projects, the Tegina–Kontagora section of the Minna–Zungeru–Tegina–Kontagora road, a major link between the North-Central and North-West zones, experienced significant delays due to persistent security threats.
“The contractor is on site, but due to the high level of insecurity around that area, it really slowed down the progress of work. But through the concerted efforts of the government, the executive of Niger State and security agencies, the contractors have moved back to the site, and the work is ongoing,” Eyitayo said.
He disclosed that the road, which has a total length of about 95 kilometres, has recorded approximately 18 kilometres of asphalt laying since construction resumed.
Providing updates on other projects, Eyitayo said the Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi Road, being handled by Gerawa Nigeria Limited, has seen about 16 kilometres asphalted out of its 29.5-kilometre length. He added that work on the road is ongoing and of satisfactory quality.
He also revealed that Phase One of the Minna–Tegina road project, executed by Messrs HMF Nigeria Limited, has achieved about 38 kilometres of asphalt laying out of a total length of 94 kilometres.
On the Suleja–Minna Road, the Federal Controller said the project was earlier stalled due to poor contractor performance. He disclosed that the contract has since been terminated and is being re-awarded, with construction expected to resume soon.
Eyitayo expressed optimism that sustained government intervention and improved security would accelerate progress on the projects and restore critical transport links across the state.
During the inspection tour, a special intervention project aimed at addressing flood-related washouts along the Gwada–Shiroro Road was commissioned. The project included the reconstruction of a collapsed box culvert that had disconnected several communities for about three years.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, Alhassan Zarumi described the road’s previous condition as a death trap, warning that prolonged neglect could have completely cut off access to the area.
“If this place were not repaired, I wonder if we would still be passing here. Now people can move freely again,” he said.
Representatives of professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), also commended the intervention, noting that it has improved mobility and eliminated accidents along the corridor.
