FG Flags Off Construction Of 122 km Mando-Birnin-Gwari Road

The federal government on Tuesday flagged off the construction of the 122.8 km Mando-Birnin Gwari road project, with a 24-month completion timeline.

The project, costing N178.1bn, was awarded to J. Patel and Sons Ltd in May 2026.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, said the flag off was a campaign promise fulfilled.

He noted that during his 2022 election campaign, he insisted on visiting Birnin-Gwari despite security advice against it.

Gov. Sani recalled that on 22nd December 2022, President Bola Tinubu came to Kaduna during the campaign, and he was asked to choose two or three local governments he would visit.

However, the security agencies also advised him that Birnin-Gwari was a no-go area at the time due to the level of insecurity.

“Nobody dares to travel from Kaduna, Mando to Birnin-Gwari because of the level of insecurity, kidnappings and insurgency.

“But President Bola Tinubu went against the advice of the security agencies, and he made it clear to everyone at that time that, as someone who is campaigning to be the president of Nigeria, he must visit Birnin-Gwari. At that time, it was the epicentre of insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria. That shows that he was dogged, he was committed, and he was prepared to address the issue of insecurity in our country and Kaduna State in particular.”

He said the convoy had 21 armoured vehicles, fully armed with military personnel and armoured personnel carriers (APCs), to visit Birnin-Gwari.

“We left Kaduna at about 4 pm. We arrived in Birnin-Gwari after four and a half hours due to the terrain. The road was bad, and of course, we got to Birnin-Gwari at 8.30 pm. At that meeting in Birnin-Gwari, the emir of Birnin-Gwari graciously honoured Mr President with a traditional title. Mr President at that time promised that he would, number one, reconstruct the road from Mando, Kaduna, to Birnin-Gwari.

He also promised that he would do everything to ensure that security and normalcy return to Birnin-Gwari. Today, just like the Emir of Birnin-Gwari just said, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled both promises he made to the people of Birnin-Gwari, and I am happy today we are here for the groundbreaking of this very important road.”

He stated that the Mando-Birnin-Gwari road is very critical because it connects the whole north-west to the south-west, cutting across five states up to Lagos.

The governor added, “Today, the Kaduna government is constructing 36 kilometres of asphalted road, cutting across 72 farming communities in Birnin-Gwari local government area. That’s what is happening and this construction is being carried out by CGC, one of the most reportable construction companies in Nigeria. That is the benefit of peace, that is the benefit of tranquillity and harmony.”

The Governor, speaking in his capacity, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved $865 million in July for the construction of the light rail project in the Kaduna metropolitan area.

“So, we are happy, we are grateful to the President for recognising that Kaduna is the heart of Northern Nigeria. We continue to show our support, we continue to support the President, and I have that in my mind.

2027 election has been concluded. I have that in my mind. We are giving Mr President at least 95 per cent of the total votes. That’s not bad at all, and I stand to be challenged”.

The Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi said the 122 km project would start at both ends, that is, at Mando in Kaduna and the Birnin-Gwari axis.

He said President Tinubu is a man who keeps his word, hence the project’s fulfilment.

“In 2022, promise was made for this route, Birnin-Gwari, to be done, and that today the project has been mobilised, the project is being flagged off, and that Mr. President, if you know him very well, he’s a promise keeper. He’s a man that rewards loyalty. He’s a man that is very fair to every section of the country,”.

He continued “Today, we are flagging off the 122 kilometre Birnin-Gwari, and I’m told, and I’m very shocked, and very surprised, that this is the shortest route to Lagos State.

And that this route, by the time it gets to Birnin-Gwari, is connecting Niger, is connecting Kwara, is connecting Oshun, is connecting Oyo, and then Lagos,”.

He commended Governor Uba Sani for uniting Kaduna people through his leadership style.

“I commend you very highly, and I thank you for uniting the entire Kaduna people.We are one people, after all.

He noted that though the road was known to be bandits haven, the trend will change.

“Mr President by doing this route, is keeping his promise, is also shortening the route between the north and Lagos, is curbing the insecurity along this route, is also doing agric-revolution, because a lot of farm lands will be recovered,”.

Umahi responding to recent comments by Senator Adams Oshiomole said the President is not building new roads but was also reconstructing old roads.

He said “People say we are doing new routes. We are abandoning old routes. Is this 122 kilometre new route. No, it’s not a new route. Is 350 kilometre from Sokoto to Zamfara, you know, down to Funtua, down to Zaria. Is it a new route? That is what the president is doing. Is the 207 kilometre by two, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha, which is costing the president 350 billion, it’s not a new route. Is the 260 kilometre by two, 956 million US dollars. All the way from Maurdi to 9th mile, 520 kilometre. Is it a new route? Is the Bodo-Bonny 37.1 kilometre, 280 billion Naira. Is it a new route? Time will fail me.

And the most importantly, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kadu road. Abandoned for decades. This president is a president that is doing the impossible,”.

He stated further “This route,Lot 1, 118 kilometre, 252 billion, is 100% completed. And not only is it completed, the president is putting solar light in the entire stretch of the road, 2.5 kilometre backwards at the Abuja axis going to Kogi. And so we have over 278 kilometre by two.