The construction of Sokoto to Badagry 1000km super highway is to be flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu next month, the Hon. Minister for Works, Engr. David Umahi, has informed.
Engr. Umahi informed the gathering of eminent personalities in the state, led by the State Governor, Comrade Nasiru Idris, at the State Presidential Banquet hall that the 120 km section of the road lay in Sokoto State, while 258 km of the road passes through Kebbi State.
He told the gathering that President Tinubu had directed him to come to Kebbi with your Minister and Members of the National Assembly from the State to unveil the scope of the project, which is the old West African Trade Route.
He explained that Processes are in progress for the commencement of the construction of the 1000-Sokoto – Badagry six-lane Super Highway which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to flag-off the construction work in the month of August 2024.
“The super highway extends to Illela border town with Niger Republic in Sokoto State and down to Badagry in Lagos state, adding that the Sokoto – Badagry corridor has 53 dams that would be developed for agriculture and electricity and serve as trade routes with other African countries”,
“The Super Highway, like the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway, is an investment venture for Nigeria’s economic prosperity”,
“There are lots of benefits inherent in the road project, such as security, tourism, smooth transportation and industrial growth”, the Minister added.
Umahi also talked on the construction of the 55 km Gadar Zaima – Zuru road in Kebbi State, of which only 6 km have been repaired.
He remarked that although it was an NNPC project, the progress of work has not been good.
“I have invited the contractor to Abuja for an explanation, It has been the behaviour of International contractors to abandon work after collecting payment; we will no longer tolerate this unbecoming attitude”,
“Any contractor who is given a project but cannot do it, the Federal Government will revoke the contract and reward it to another company; we want to encourage our local contractors.” He said clearly.
The Minister explained that the Federal Government is also looking into the 87-km Koko – Mahuta – Dabai road, of which only 6 km were reconstructed.
“I have the power to revoke the contract; the Governor recommended revoking the work and allowing the Kebbi State Government to carry out the work and seek reimbursement”,
“The Governor can lobby the President to seek a refund; you are dear to him”, Umahi advised the governor.
The Minister said the Federal Government was also not happy about the pace of work on the Malando – Warrah road, explaining that appropriate action would be applied as a remedy.
“There’s 55 km Argungu – Natsini road and the Jega – Kwanar Sanagi – Kebbe road, which is not encouraging”,
“The North must begin to enjoy concrete roads that will last up to between 50 and 100 years, adding that from now on, only contractors with the right equipment capable of building concrete roads would be engaged for road projects”,
“This is part of the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructural Projects of President Tinubu”, Umahi emphasised.
The Director, Federal Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr. Bede Obioha, informed participants at the gathering that the Sokoto – Badagry Six-lane Super Highway would start from Illela -Tanzaza- Binji – Gwadabawa – Silame in Sokoto State.
From Argungu in Kebbi State, the road stretches to Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Dakingari and Kamba, extending to other Niger and Kwara states up to Badagry.
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, affirmed the support of traditional rulers for the road construction, assuring that they would mobilise their people towards the successful completion of the project.
Former Kebbi State Governor, Sa’idu Dakingari, and former Governor and present Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended President Tinubu for executing the road project that was initiated by the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo 48 years ago.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, two other members of the committee, former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Muhammadu Adamu Alieru, former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as well as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, delivered goodwill messages.
They reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to provide necessary legislative support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the infrastructural development, socioeconomic growth, and industrial growth of the nation.
While welcoming the Hon. Minister and his entourage, Comrade Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi State, described the Sokoto-BBadagry Super Highway as an indelible legacy of the APC administration under President Tinubu.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation from Nigerians, noting that this is an achievement under the APC government.
“We are part of it; we are in the APC; we believe in the ability of President Tinubu to deliver; he removed the dust off the file of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, which has been kept dormant for almost 50 years; Tinubu is fulfilling the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.” He said.
Comrade Nasir Idris informed the Works Minister that he would present a report to him in Abuja containing the input of the people of Kebbi State on the construction of the super highway for better results.
The Governor further renewed his request to the Federal Government to revoke the contract for the construction of the Koko-Dabai road for non-performance by the contractor and allow the Kebbi State Government to execute the project to be refunded later, saying that the road is highly important to the people of the state and beyond.