The project is expected to cut travel times for thousands of residents.

Residents interviewed by our reporters said they were cautiously optimistic, citing previous projects that stalled after initial launches.

The announcement comes amid growing public demand for accountability and better services, particularly in rural areas where access has historically lagged.

Stakeholders have been invited to submit their views, and a progress report is expected to be tabled before the end of the financial year.

Analysts note that similar initiatives in the past have struggled with funding delays and weak oversight, and say transparency will be key to success this time.

Officials said the plan had been developed after months of consultation with residents, local leaders and technical experts, and that implementation would begin immediately.

What happens next

According to figures shared with Inspire Media, the programme will initially cover the most affected areas before being expanded nationwide over the next two years.