President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to inaugurate the construction work of the 1000-km Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway in August.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this during a
stakeholder engagement on the project in Birnin Kebbi.
Umahi said that he was directed by the president to come to
Kebbi with some ministers and members of the National Assembly to unveil the
scope of the project.
“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,” he said.
The Minister added: “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.”
Umahi also spoke on the construction of the 55-kilometre
Gadar Zaima-Zuru road in Kebbi, of which only six kilometres had been repaired.
According to him, though the road is 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 will
have the federal government revoke the contract and re-award it to another
company; we want to encourage our local contractors,” he said.
The minister explained that the government was also looking
into the 87-kilometre Koko-Mahuta-Dabai road, of which only six kilometres were
reconstructed.
“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,” Umahi said.
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 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,” the minister said.
In his remarks, Gov. Idris described the Sokoto-Badagry
Super Highway as indelible legacy of the All Progressive Congress’s (APC)
administration.
“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,” he said.
Idris, informed the minister that he would present a report
to him in Abuja containing the input of the people of the state on the construction
of the super highway for better results.
The Director, Federal Highways, Bridges, and Design, Mr Bede
Obioha, informed the stakeholders that the Sokoto-Badagry six lane Super
Highway would start from Illela, Tangaza, Binji, Gwadabawa, Silame, and Argungu
in Sokoto State.
”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,” the director said.
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 successful completion of the
project.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Barinada
Mpigi, two other members of the committee, Sen. Adamu Aliero and Sen. Aminu
Tambuwal, as well as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works,
Mr Akin Alabi, delivered goodwill messages.
They reaffirmed the commitment of the national assembly to
provide necessary legislative support to President Tinubu on infrastructural
development, socio-economic and industrial growth of the nation. (NAN)
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