Kaduna: Birnin Gwari seeks electricity, higher institution as road reconstruction begins

The Chairman of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state, Hon. Dr Salisu Isah, has appealed to the Federal and Kaduna state governments to extend ongoing development interventions in the area to electricity, education and healthcare.

Isah made the appeal while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for the commencement of the reconstruction of the 122-kilometre Mando-Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.

The ₦177 billion road project, according to the chairman, has renewed hope among residents after years of insecurity and poor infrastructure in the local government.

He, however, said the reconstruction of the major highway should be accompanied by interventions in other critical sectors, particularly electricity and education.

The chairman said nine of the 11 wards in Birnin Gwari Local Government currently remain without connection to the national electricity grid, stressing that restoring power would have significant impact on education, healthcare, agriculture, small businesses and communication.

He therefore appealed for the reconnection of communities in the eastern and western parts of the local government to the national grid.

Isah also called for the establishment of higher institutions of learning in Birnin Gwari, as well as a JAMB examination centre and functional skills acquisition centres.

He said investment in education and human capital was necessary to ensure that the younger generation benefited from the renewed development attention to the area.

“The future of Birnin Gwari must not be defined only by the challenges we have survived. It must increasingly be defined by the opportunities we create for our children and young people,” he said.

The chairman further appealed to the relevant authorities to revive the Gwargwaje-Zaria Road through Farin Ruwa to Saulawa project, which he said commenced in 2011 but was later abandoned.

He said completing the road would reconnect communities and further open up economic opportunities in the area.

Isah also appealed for the rehabilitation and upgrading of educational and healthcare facilities across the local government, noting that years of insecurity had affected critical infrastructure and disrupted access to basic services.

While commending President Tinubu for the commencement of the Mando-Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road reconstruction, he described the project as a major intervention capable of transforming the economic fortunes of the area.

According to him, the road serves as an important transport corridor for farmers, traders, students, civil servants and other residents, adding that its completion would facilitate the movement of people and goods, boost agriculture, improve security and stimulate economic activities.

He similarly commended Governor Uba Sani for the ongoing reconstruction of the 36-kilometre Bagoma-Gagumi Road, renovation of the Jibril Mai Gwari Memorial Hospital I and construction of a modern abattoir and veterinary clinic in the local government.

The chairman urged residents to support the government and contractors working on the various projects, describing the infrastructure as strategic assets that should be protected.

He said the combination of improved security and renewed infrastructure investment presented an opportunity to reposition Birnin Gwari for sustainable development.

Isah also commended the Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness Malam Zubair Jibril, Maigwari II, for his leadership and efforts towards peace, security and development in the emirate.

He expressed optimism that sustained government and development-partner interventions would enable Birnin Gwari to overcome the effects of years of insecurity and emerge as a more prosperous local government.