Gov Idris Calls Sokoto – Badagry Super Highway ‘Indelible Achievement Of Tinubu Administration’ During ‘Stakeholder Meeting’ In Birini Kebbi

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state has described the Sokoto – Badagry Super Highway as an indelible accomplishment of the President Bola  Tinubu  administration.

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yahaya Sarki on Wednesday noted that he  made this assertion during  the ‘stakeholder 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 Highway which was held in Birnin Kebbi.

The statement noted that the event which was held on Wednesday was presided over by the Minister for Works, Engineer David Umahi.

The governor noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation from Nigerians while describing this as  an indelible achievement of the APC –controlled 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 told 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. 

He also, once again, presented his request that the Federal Government should revoke the contract for the construction of the Koko – Dabai road , allow the Kebbi state government to execute the project and get  refunded later. He cited nonperformance on the part of the contractor.

The governor added that  the road  in question is highly important to the people of the state and beyond. 

Earlier, the Minister for Works,  Engr David Umahi had submitted  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 , President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to flag off the construction work this August.

Kebbi state has a 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. 

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 said. 

Umahi also talked about 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 and pace of work has not been encouraging. 

‘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 a project but could not do it, the Federal Government will revoke the contract and reaward it to another company, we want to encourage our local contractors’  he said. 

The minister  also explained that the Government is 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 contract 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 added. 

He also  said the Federal Government is  not happy about the pace of work on the Malando – Warrah road, submitting 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. Henceforth, 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 said. 

The Director, Federal Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr. Bede Obioha, also said 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’ he said. 

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, declared the support of traditional rulers in the state for the road construction project, assuring that they would mobilize their people towards successful completion of the project. 

Former governor of the state , Alhaji Sa’idu Dakingari and  the Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, who is equally a former governor of the state,  Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, in their separate speeches , commended President Tinubu for giving priority to the road project which was initiated by the General Olusegun Obasanjo military administration 48 years ago.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, two other members of the committee, former governor of Kebbi state, Senator Muhammadu Adamu Alieru,  Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as well as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, also delivered goodwill messages. 

They reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to providing necessary legislative support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s  efforts to ensure infrastructure development, and socioeconomic and industrial growth of the nation-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you