Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal on Sunday flagged off the construction of a 95-kilometre road network in Tsafe Local Government Area, saying the project would ease the transportation of goods and strengthen security in a local government area that has been severely affected by banditry and poor connectivity.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Tsafe town, Lawal said the road would span Yandoton Daji, Cediya, Doka, Yan Waren Daji, Hayin Alhaji Bedi, Unguwar Joji and Yankuzo to Tsafe, with five bridges to be constructed along the route. The project will be executed in two phases, with the first phase covering 47 kilometres awarded to SKY Construction Company, while the second phase covering 48 kilometres was awarded to Setraco Construction Company Limited. According to the governor, the road traverses communities that are predominantly farmers, emphasising that it will play a crucial role in the state’s economy. “As a responsible government, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our people. That is why we have prioritised this road project as a key intervention to restore peace and stability in Zamfara,” Lawal said.
The governor said the project was prioritised partly because of its potential to strengthen security operations in the area. “Reconstructing this road will enhance the movement of goods and the mobility of security agencies, thereby improving operational capacity and response to threats or attacks,” he said. He added that improved road infrastructure would not only make transportation safer but also stimulate economic activity and improve the quality of life in communities affected by insecurity and poor connectivity. “This project aims to go beyond transportation; it seeks to stimulate economic activity, enhance security and improve community life,” Lawal said. The reconstruction of the road, he added, would not only facilitate the movement of goods and services but also enhance the mobility and operational capacity of security agencies. “With a better road network, we can improve our surveillance and intelligence gathering, as well as respond more effectively to any threats or attacks,” he said.
The Commissioner for Works, Lawal Bungundu, said the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal was part of its mission to rebuild the state and ensure that Zamfara residents benefited from improved road connectivity. “The construction of this road in Tsafe LGA will ensure the commuting of farm produce, as it connects many farmlands, and it will affect the economic activities of the state. The road will ensure the smooth transportation of farm produce and also develop agricultural output. This will work in line with our administration’s investment in critical infrastructure to enhance the productivity of our people,” Bungundu said.
The governor said the project formed part of a broader infrastructure renewal programme across Zamfara State, which includes the Gusau–Magami–Dansadau Road, the Zurmi–Rukudawa Road and the Mallamawa–Bukkuyum Road with a spur to Masamar Mudi. “These roads are steadily reconnecting communities and addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits,” Lawal said. He directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ensure rigorous supervision, quality assurance and strict compliance with approved engineering standards throughout the project. “Contractors handling government projects must understand that Zamfara expects value for money, quality craftsmanship and infrastructure capable of withstanding the test of time,” he said. He added that he hoped the road would enhance transportation and security, serve as a unifying force that brings communities together and symbolise the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development for the prosperity and growth of Zamfara.
The flag-off comes amid a broader push by the Lawal administration to address the infrastructure deficits that have compounded the security and economic challenges facing Zamfara, a state that has been at the epicentre of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West for more than a decade. The communities along the road corridor have been particularly affected by attacks on farmers, kidnappings for ransom and the disruption of agricultural activities that form the backbone of the local economy. The decision to prioritise the road project reflects a recognition that security and economic revival are interlinked: farmers cannot return to their fields or transport their produce to markets if the roads are unsafe, and security agencies cannot respond effectively to threats if they cannot reach the communities they are meant to protect.
The project also forms part of the state government’s efforts to rebuild public confidence in areas where the presence of government has been minimal due to insecurity. The road network will reconnect communities that have been isolated and reduce the travel time and cost of moving agricultural produce to markets in Tsafe and beyond. For farmers in the affected communities, the road represents both a practical solution to the challenges of transporting their produce and a signal that the state government is committed to restoring normal life in areas that have borne the brunt of the security crisis. For security agencies, the improved road network offers better access and mobility, which could enhance their ability to respond to threats and conduct patrols.
The political context of the project is significant. The 2027 general elections are less than four months away, and the Lawal administration is under pressure to demonstrate tangible progress in addressing the twin challenges of insecurity and economic hardship. The governor’s emphasis on infrastructure renewal and security operations reflects a broader strategy of showcasing delivery as the administration seeks to consolidate its political position. The road project, with its dual focus on agriculture and security, is positioned to appeal to both rural voters and the business community, while also providing a platform for the governor to frame his administration as action-oriented and responsive to the needs of communities long neglected.
For the people of Tsafe and the surrounding communities, the flag-off represents a measure of hope that the road that has for years been a source of isolation and vulnerability will finally be rebuilt. The coming months will determine whether the contractors deliver on the timelines and standards set by the governor, and whether the completed road translates into improved security and economic activity for the farmers whose livelihoods depend on it. As Lawal put it, the government understands the urgency due to the challenging circumstances in these communities, and it is committed to strict adherence to timelines for timely completion.
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