Tinubu Set To Inaugurate Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway Construction

President Bola AhmedTinubu will in August inaugurate the construction work of 1000-km Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway.

Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of Works, Dave Umahi disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement on the project in Birnin, Kebbi state.

Umahi noted that he was directed by president to come to Kebbi with some ministers and members of National Assembly to unveil scope of the project.

He said, “The project is the old West African Trade Route, and the processes for the commencement of the construction of the 1000km six-lane super highway are in progress.”

”Kebbi State has the lion share of the project; the first phase of construction will start here, covering three lanes on each side of the road.”

“120 kilometres of road lay in Sokoto State, while 258 kilometres pass through Kebbi State, which is the largest beneficiary in the country.”

”The super highway extends to Illela border town with Niger Republic in Sokoto State and down to Badagry in Lagos State.”

Umahi added that “The Sokoto-Badagry corridor boasts 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: security, tourism, smooth transportation, and industrial growth.”

Also, the minister said the government plans on working on 55-kilometre Gadar Zaima-Zuru road in Kebbi, which only six kilometres of the road been repaired.

He noted that though the road is an NNPC project, the progress of work has not been good.

Umahi said, “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 will have the federal government revoke the contract and re-award it to another company; we want to encourage our local contractors.”

Umahi emphasised that the government also plans on working on the 87-kilometre Koko-Mahuta-Dabai road, which only six kilometres of the road were reconstructed.

He added, “I have the power to revoke the contract. Gov. Nasir Idris recommended revoking the work and allowing the Kebbi government to carry out the work and seek reimbursement.”

“The governor can lobby the president to seek a refund; you are dear to him.”

Umahu noted that federal government is also not happy about the pace of work on Malando-Warrah road, explaining that appropriate action would be taken.

He said, “There is 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 and 200 years.”

”From now on, only contractors with the right equipment capable of building concrete roads will be engaged for road projects.”

“Without good roads, it is like we are in prison, as good roads enhance agricultural mechanisation, security, smooth transportation, longevity of vehicles, and boost the economy.”

”This is part of the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructural Projects of President Tinubu.”

Governor Idris while speaking, described Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway as an indelible legacy of All Progressive Congress’s (APC) administration.

He said, “We are part of it; we are in the APC, and 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.”

Governor Idris told the minister that he would present to him in Abuja, a report that would detail input of the people of the state on construction of super highway for better results.

Director, of Federal Highways, Bridges, and Design, Mr. Bede Obioha, informed stakeholders that Sokoto-Badagry six-lane Super Highway would start from Illela, Tangaza, Binji, Gwadabawa, Silame, and Argungu in Sokoto State.

Obioha said, “From Argungu in Kebbi State, the road stretches to Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Dakingari, and Kamba, extending to other states up to Badagry.”

”On completion of the project, there will be consistency in free flow of traffic.”

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

Chairman of Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, two other members of the committee, Sen. Adamu Aliero and Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, and the Chairman of, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Mr Akin Alabi, delivered goodwill messages.

They reaffirmed the commitment of national assembly to provide necessary legislative support on infrastructural development, and socio-economic and industrial growth of the country, to the President.