The Federal Ministry of Works is working towards a May 29, 2026, target for the commissioning of the 29.5-kilometre Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi road in Niger State, as construction intensifies on major highways ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

The target date was disclosed during an ongoing tour of federal road infrastructure projects organised by the Ministry of Works.

A statement issued by the ministry on Sunday said officials carried out inspections of several project sites across Niger State, conducting on-the-spot assessments to evaluate progress and readiness ahead of commissioning.

Recall that the construction of the Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi road project, currently being undertaken by Gerawa Nigeria Limited, has recorded significant progress, with about 16 kilometres of asphalt overlay completed out of the total 29.5 kilometres.

Speaking after the tour, the Federal Controller of Works in Niger State, Aluko Eyitayo, said the Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi road had recorded substantial progress and would be ready for commissioning before May 29.

“You can see the pace of work on that road and the accomplishments so far. I can tell you that in the next two to three months, the road will be completed.

“The total length of the road is 29.5 kilometres, and the contractor has done satisfactorily. Out of the 29.5 kilometres, about 16 kilometres of asphaltic binder course have been completed.

“The contractor is on site, and the quality of work is satisfactory”, Eyitayo said.

He expressed confidence that the project would be completed within the next two to three months.

“Within the next four weeks, the asphaltic wearing course, the final layer, will commence. I am very confident that the project will be completed before May 29 and ready for commissioning,” he added.

The statement further explained that the Niger tour also featured the commissioning of completed projects, including the Gwada–Shiroro road and a critical box culvert that had collapsed about three years ago, cutting off access between communities.

Eyitayo added, “We visited some ongoing projects in Niger State and also commissioned two completed roads today, including the Gwada–Shiroro road, where we commissioned a two-by-two box culvert that collapsed about three years ago.

“The collapse caused a disconnection between Gwada and Shiroro, but the culvert has now been reconstructed, significantly reducing travel time.”

According to him, emergency repairs were also carried out on failed sections of the Gwada–Shiroro road that had caused severe traffic bottlenecks.

“Those failed sections were creating serious traffic problems, but today traffic is flowing freely, and the communities are very happy,” he said.

Eyitayo noted that the scope of work included embankment washout repairs, construction of a two-cell box culvert measuring 2.0 metres by 2.0 metres, laying of stone base, binder course, and asphalt wearing course.

“All the works have been completed. The projects were awarded to two contractors and have now been substantially completed and put to use. We are here to officially commission them,” he said.

Residents of the Gwada community trooped out in large numbers to celebrate the reopening of the 25.7-kilometre Gwada–Shiroro road, describing it as a lifeline for economic activities and access to the Shiroro hydropower plant.

A community leader, Alhassan Zaremai, commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, describing the intervention as one of the most impactful dividends of democracy in the area.

“This road is very important because it links the National Grid at the Shiroro Power Station. Before this intervention, the road was a death trap. If it had not been repaired, I wonder if we would still be passing here today.

“We thank the Federal Government and the engineers for ensuring the free movement of people and goods”, Zaremai said.

Another resident, Hassan Turaki, said the intervention had transformed daily life and business activities in the community. “Before now, the road was in a very bad condition. Accidents were frequent, and business was slow. Now the road is in good shape, economic activities have returned, and we thank President Tinubu and the Minister of Works”, he said.

Beyond the commissioned projects, the Ministry of Works also inspected several ongoing highways, including the Minna–Zungeru–Tegina–Kontagora road, a vital corridor linking the North-Central and North-West regions through Kebbi State.

Eyitayo explained that the road was divided into two phases. “Phase one is from Minna to Tegina and is being handled by MESA HMF Nigeria Limited. The total length is 94 kilometres, and so far, the contractor has completed about 38 kilometres of asphaltic binder course. Work is ongoing, and the quality is satisfactory,” he said.

On phase two, from Tegina to Kontagora, Eyitayo said progress had been slowed by insecurity. “Due to the high level of insecurity in the area, work slowed significantly. There were incidents of banditry that forced the contractor to demobilise from the site for several months,” he said.

He added, however, that with the support of the Niger State Government and security agencies, contractors had since returned to the site. “Out of about 95 kilometres, the contractor has completed around 18 kilometres of asphalt wearing course. So far, progress has been encouraging,” he added.

The controller also disclosed that the Suleja–Minna road project, split into two phases and awarded in 2010 and 2015 respectively, had been terminated due to non-performance by the contractor.

“Recently, both phases were terminated due to non-performance. They have now been re-procured and will be re-awarded to two contractors. Very soon, activities will resume on that road,” he said.

Commenting on the overall performance of contractors, Eyitayo said insecurity had affected progress in some areas, but that work had resumed. “Generally, contractors have performed satisfactorily. Insecurity, especially along the Tegina–Kontagora axis, affected progress, but all contractors are now back on site,” he said.

Engineering professionals present at the commissioning also attested to the quality of work delivered. The Chairman of the Engineering Regulation Committee of COREN in Niger State, Bala Saliu, said the interventions had brought enormous social and economic benefits to the state.

“As remote as this area is, the social and economic benefits of this intervention cannot be overemphasised,” he said. “The community is grateful, and we believe the Federal Government will continue to intervene in other critical areas.”

Similarly, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Minna Branch, Abubakar Kawu, described the Gwada–Shiroro project as critical to safety, commerce, and power generation.

“This is the road that leads to the Shiroro Dam, a major hydropower station supplying electricity to many parts of the country.

“The intervention will reduce accidents, boost economic activities, and support the power sector. The quality of work meets professional standards”, he said.

On the Bida–Zungeru–Wushishi road, the Project Manager of Gerawa Global Engineering Limited, Adam Adan, said initial challenges, including insecurity and community-related issues, had been resolved.

“We faced security challenges at the early stage, but with the support of the ministry, the controller, and the community, the issues were resolved.

“We are working day and night. We have achieved almost 17 kilometres of binder course, and once that is completed, we will move to the wearing course,” he said.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to enhancing national road infrastructure through the execution of major highway projects across Niger State, aimed at improving connectivity, guaranteeing safety, and enabling socio-economic development.