Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has described the Sokoto – Badagry Super Highway as indelible legacy of the APC administration under President Tinubu .
The governor made the assertion during stakeholders engagement on the alignment for section 1&2 Sokoto (120 km) and Kebbi (258 km ) states -378 km out of the 1000 km Sokoto / Badagry Super Highway held in Birnin Kebbi this Wednesday presided by the Minister for Works, Engineer David Umahi.
According to the Governor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation from Nigerians noting that its 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”, the Governor said.
Comrade, Dr. 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.
Earlier, the Minister for Works, Engr David Umahi informed the gathering that 120km section of the road lay in Sokoto State while 258km passes through Kebbi State, which is the largest beneficiary in the country.
“President Tinubu directed me to come to Kebbi with your Minister and Members of the National Assembly to unveil the scope of the project which is the old West African Trade Route.
‘ Processes are in progress for the commencement of the construction of the 1000km Sokoto – Badagry six lane Super Highway which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to flag-off the construction work this August.
“Kebbi State has lion share of the project, the first phase of construction will start here covering three lanes on each side of the road, it will be flagged off in August by Mr. President”, Umahi announced.
“The super highway extends to Illela border town with Niger Republic in Sokoto State and down to Badagry in Lagos state. The Sokoto – Badagry corridor boasts of 53 dams that would be developed for Agriculture, electricity and serves 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, security, tourism, smooth transportation and industrial growth”, the Minister added.
Umahi also talked on the construction of the 55km Gadar Zaima – Zuru road in Kebbi State of which only 6km has 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 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 project but could not do it, the Federal Government will revoke the contract and reward it to another company, we want to encourage our local contractors”, he made clear.
The Minister explained that the Government was also looking into the 87km Koko – Mahuta – Dabai road of which only 6km was 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 for reimbursement”,
“The Governor can lobby the President to seek for refund, you are dear to him”, Umahi advised Comrade Idris.
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 remedy.
“There’s 55km 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 100 – 200 years.From now, only contractors with the right equipment capable for 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 that the Sokoto – Badagry Six lane Super Highway would start from Illela – Tangaza – Binji – Gwadabawa – Silame – Argungu in Sokoto State.
From Argungu in Kebbi State, the road stretches to Ambursa – Birnin Kebbi – Bunza – Dakingari – Kamba extending to other states up to Badagry.
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, affirmed the support of traditional rulers to the road construction, assuring that they would mobilise their people towards successful completion of the project.
Former Kebbi State Governor, Sa’idu Dakingari and former Governor, present Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended President Tinubu for executing the road project which 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 infrastructural development, socioeconomic and industrial growth of the nation.
