NANS lauds Tinubu, Umahi over Kano Northern bypass

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde. Photo: NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Friday, commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the ongoing construction of the Northern bypass in Kano State.

The students’ body said the project, which it described as a major intervention in the North-West, would ease traffic congestion and improve access to campuses and communities across the region when completed.

The NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, said the commendation followed an inspection of the ongoing road project by a delegation of the association.

Afeez said the inspection formed part of NANS’ nationwide tour of federal road projects leading to tertiary institutions, aimed at assessing the quality and progress of infrastructure directly affecting students.

According to him, “The Northern bypass stretches through parts of the North-West and connects ten institutions in the region. The project is particularly important to students who frequently travel through Kano and neighbouring states to access their campuses.

“Before now, there have been several reports of heavy traffic in the heart of Kano, particularly along routes connecting different states, as well as distress reports from Nigerian students travelling from various locations to their respective campuses.

“However, upon completion, this bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion in the heart of Kano, particularly for students and other commuters plying the route to connect different states.

“We therefore commend President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the ongoing project.”

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The NANS president commended Umahi for what he described as the foresight to identify transportation challenges confronting residents and initiate the project to address them.

He said the project comprised a 69.4-kilometre dual carriageway, three flyovers and seven bridges, adding that the association was impressed by the quality and pace of construction observed during its inspection.

Afeez also praised the Tinubu administration for what he described as its investment in infrastructure and efforts to improve road connectivity across the country.

He said the consideration given to access to tertiary institutions in the planning of road projects was particularly significant to students.

The student body also commended the government for compensating farmers whose agricultural land was acquired for the construction of the bypass.

NANS said the payment of compensation was important in addressing the impact of the project on affected communities and their livelihoods.

The association, however, urged the Federal Government to sustain the pace of work and ensure the timely completion of the project.

“We therefore call on the government to intensify efforts and ensure that this road project is completed in earnest,” Afeez added.