The Managing Director of the Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Abdullahi Ahmed, says improved security and projects have restored normalcy and revived economic activities in Birnin Gwari.

Mr Ahmed stated this during an inspection of ongoing road, healthcare and market projects initiated by Governor Uba Sani administration in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA).

He said the governor’s investments in security, road infrastructure, healthcare and commerce had changed the narrative of Birnin Gwari from one dominated by insecurity to one focused on development and economic growth.

According to him, residents who were previously displaced by insecurity have returned to their farms, while educational and commercial activities have resumed across the local government area.

“Before now, discussions about Birnin Gwari centred on insecurity. Today, the conversation is about development and economic growth.

“This is the result of Gov. Uba Sani’s commitment to reviving infrastructure and restoring prosperity to the area,” he said.

Mr Ahmed described Birnin Gwari as a strategic economic corridor linking Kaduna State with Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger states, adding that ongoing projects would strengthen regional trade and economic integration.

He said KADRA inspected the ongoing 36 kilometre Bagoma-Gagumi Road project, which he described as the longest road currently under construction in Kaduna State.

According to him, the project is also the most significant road intervention undertaken in Birnin Gwari in more than two decades.

Mr Ahmed noted that Birnin Gwari was among 12 local government areas that had not recorded a completed kilometre of road construction in the last 12 years.

He said the present administration was determined to reverse the trend through sustained infrastructure development.

The KADRA boss also inspected the ultra-modern livestock and grains market under construction in Birnin Gwari and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work.

He assured residents that the facility would be completed before the end of the year.

Mr Ahmed said the market would serve as a major commercial hub for livestock traders, grain merchants and other businesses from Kaduna and neighbouring states upon completion.

At the Jibril Mai-Gwari Memorial Hospital, Mr Ahmed said the project formed part of the state government’s healthcare revitalisation programme involving the remodelling, upgrading and equipping of 16 general hospitals across the state.

He disclosed that eight hospitals had already been completed, while work on the Birnin Gwari facility was nearing completion and expected to be delivered before the end of July.

Speaking on the project, the hospital’s secretary, Kasim Hassan, commended the state government for the intervention.

He said the upgraded facility would significantly improve healthcare delivery and cater to the growing number of patients from Birnin Gwari and neighbouring states.

“Patient turnout has continued to increase, especially during the rainy season when malaria cases are common.

“This upgraded hospital will greatly improve healthcare services and save lives,” Mr Hassan said.

He urged residents to protect the facility and take ownership of the project in view of the huge investment made by the government.

Also speaking, the project manager of the livestock and grains market, Fidel Said, described the facility as a major boost to the local economy.

Mr Said commended the support received from the state government and host community, noting that improved security had enabled contractors to work without disruption.

“Since we arrived on site, we have not experienced any security challenge. The environment has been peaceful, and the community has been very supportive.

“We are making steady progress and remain committed to delivering a project that will have lasting economic benefits for the people,” he said.

Some residents who witnessed the inspection expressed optimism that the ongoing projects would consolidate the gains of improved security and accelerate socio-economic development in Birnin Gwari and surrounding communities. 

(NAN)