NANS COMMENDS FEDERAL ROAD PROJECT LINKING KANO AND NORTH-WEST COMMUNITIES

The National Association of Nigerian Students has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the ongoing construction of the Northern bypass in Kano State, saying the project could improve movement for students and other road users across the North-West when completed.

The NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan after a delegation of the association inspected the project. He said the inspection was part of NANS’ nationwide assessment of federal road projects leading to tertiary institutions, with the aim of monitoring infrastructure that directly affects students and their access to campuses.

According to Afeez, the Northern bypass stretches across parts of the North-West and connects 10 institutions in the region. He said students travelling through Kano and neighbouring states have faced difficulties caused by traffic congestion and poor road conditions, adding that the bypass is expected to reduce pressure on major roads in the heart of Kano and make interstate movement easier.

The NANS president said the project consists of a 69.4-kilometre dual carriageway, three flyovers and seven bridges. He also commended Umahi for identifying transportation challenges affecting residents and supporting the construction of the road, while expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of work observed during the inspection.

The student body also praised the government for compensating farmers whose agricultural land was acquired for the project, describing the payments as important in addressing the effect of the construction on affected communities and their livelihoods. However, NANS urged the Federal Government to sustain the current pace of construction and ensure that the project is completed as soon as possible.