Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago says his administration will construct about 1,500 kilometres of roads in the next four years.
The governor stated this at the flag-off of the rehabilitation and construction of 202km of Minna township roads.
The governor said the road projects were part of his aggressive urban renewal policy that would bring significant transformation to the state.
He observed that the state has a good number of federal roads spread across the state, and his administration will fix them and seek a refund from the federal government.
The governor charged the youth to take advantage of the road projects to gainfully engage themselves as materials and human capital will be sourced locally.
He added that the government, through the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, will come up with an empowerment scheme for those that will trade around the construction sites.
Earlier, the commissioner for works and infrastructure, Suleiman Umar, disclosed that the project, which has a total of 202.4 km, consists of 22 different roads.
He said this was in addition to five interchanges and flyovers at strategic locations that will open up the state capital.
While describing the project as one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the history of the state, the commissioner reiterated that the ministry will provide the needed monitoring and supervisory functions to ensure timely completion of the projects.
The Managing Director of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Mr. David Wang, commended the resilience of the governor and described him as an ambitious man who was focused on changing the face of Niger State through massive infrastructural development.
Mr. Wang promised to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and ensure harmonious relationships with the locals for timely and qualitative projects.
Also, the Emir of Minna, HRH. Alh. Umar Faruk Bahago, applauded the governor for his giant stride, especially in the urban renewal programme, and pledged the continued support of the emirate council to the government.
At the completion of the township roads, the size of Minna, the state capital, would have been expanded to 100 sq km.