On October 2, 2026, Niger's Minister of Equipment and Infrastructure, Colonel-Major Salissou Mahaman Salissou, conducted a technical visit to the Tillabéri region to inspect several road infrastructure projects. The visit aimed to assess the progress and quality of these projects, which are part of the government's Resilience Program for the Safeguard of the Homeland (PRSP). This initiative seeks to strengthen the country's strategic infrastructure in the face of security, climate, and economic challenges.
The Minister was accompanied by central and regional officials from his ministry, as well as the Governor of Tillabéri region, Colonel Maïna Boukar. The PRSP program focuses on preserving and strengthening the Niamey-Tillabéri road corridor, a crucial axis for national and sub-regional mobility and connectivity. The first stop on the visit was the Lossa infrastructure, which previously existed as a 1-meter-high culvert. Due to changing hydrological conditions and significant flooding during the rainy season, the structure was redesigned to increase its height to 2.50 meters.
The Lossa infrastructure, measuring 30 meters in length with four 2x2 openings, is nearly completed and has undergone technical reception. However, the Minister noted the need for additional arrangements to protect the downstream village of Lossa and the fields cultivated by local populations. He instructed that measures be taken to ensure the structure's protection and proper water channeling to prevent problems for local communities.
The second stage of the visit concerned the beam bridge built in the village of Mara, located at kilometer 88 of the RN1. The old structure, which had a height of 1.50 meters, was replaced by a new infrastructure with a height of three meters and a length of 45 meters. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work, highlighting that the bridge's foundations extend up to 10 meters into the base and meet the required technical standards.
The Minister stated that he was pleased to find that the beam bridge was almost finished and met the necessary standards. He emphasized that this will ensure safe and secure mobility for the population. Both inspected structures are financed by the Niger State with support from a World Bank credit through the Rural Mobility and Connectivity Project (PMRC).
The visit demonstrates the government's commitment to investing in infrastructure development to address the country's challenges. The PRSP program is a key initiative in this regard, focusing on strategic infrastructure development. The Tillabéri region benefits from these investments, which aim to improve road connectivity and enhance the quality of life for local populations.
The successful completion of these projects will have a positive impact on the region, improving access to essential services and promoting economic growth. The government's efforts to strengthen infrastructure will help address security, climate, and economic challenges facing the country. The Minister's visit highlights the importance of monitoring and evaluating project progress to ensure they meet the required standards.
Key points
- The Niger State government, with World Bank support, is investing in road infrastructure projects in the Tillabéri region.
- The projects aim to strengthen strategic infrastructure and address security, climate, and economic challenges.
- The Minister of Equipment and Infrastructure inspected the projects to assess progress and quality.
