BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Committed to improved road infrastructure across the country, President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated Section II of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
News Rider reports that Section II, which comprises 258 kilometres with three-lane carriageway is a component of the 1068 kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
The Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Nasir Idris flagged off the project on behalf of President Tinubu in Gulumbe town of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area over the weekend.
He noted that the people of the Northwestern region are extremely excited about President Tinubu's decision to execute the project.
The governor said: "Mr President, we thank you for being alive to your responsibilities as a leader of our great nation. This is a North West corridor to the North Central, South West and the Lagos-Calabar Costal Highway.
"You promised to be a President for all and we are grateful that you kept to your words. You have started a very big and important project that has never happened in the history of this nation. I am glad to state that you have not failed Nigerians."
The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi described the project as unsolicited and gigantic, which was initially designed to commence from Lagos during the then Alhaji Shehu Shagari's administration, saying that the present administration changed the project specification to kickstart from Sokoto State.
He appreciated President Tinubu for the wonderful initiative and show of genuine love for the people of the North West region and Nigerians generally.
Describing the Superhighway as one of the four Legacy road infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Umahi informed that the project consists of six lanes, provision of dams, railway, solar street lighting and parking arcades.
He stated that the legacy projects were not just mere road infrastructure but designs with very high yields on Return On Investment (ROI), as it would cut across 68 dams that would stimulate mega agricultural revolution within the corridor.
While disclosing that Kebbi has a lion share of the length of the project (258 km.), the minister solicited the massive support of Kebbi indigenes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2027 Presidential Election given the socio-economic gains attached to the project.
The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, who was a former Governor of the State, Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi Central) appreciated President Tinubu on behalf of other legislators from the state for the gigantic project, which previous governments failed to execute.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, also a former Governor of the State, Senator Atiku Bagudu recalled that President Tinubu had during his campaign in 2023, pledged to execute the project.
He described the project as an investment not only for the present generation but the unborn generation.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata described the event as a demonstration of Mr. President’s passion and speed to change the trajectory of infrastructure development in the country.
Emir of Gwandu and Chairman, Council of Chiefs in the State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Iliyasu-Bashar (Rtd.) appreciated the Federal Government for reviving the moribund project.
The Emir, who was represented by the Emir of Argungu and the Vice Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Samaila-Mera observed that the President would certainly leave behind an indelible legacy.
Speaking on the scope of the project, the Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Bakare Umar explained that Section II, Phase 2A will begin at Km.120+000 and terminate at Km.378+000, stretching through Buya, the boundary between Kebbi and Niger State.
He was hopeful that the construction of the road would lead to rapid socio-economic development in the north, affirming that Hitech Construction (Nig.) Limited handling the project executed an excellent job on the Apapa - Oshodi road.
Umar stated that the same contractor is also constructing the Lagos - Calabar Coastal Highway using concrete technology.
The director informed that the Sokoto - Badagry Superhighway (SBS) is a Trade, Transport and Security (TTS) Greenfield corridor, traversing Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States.
He hinted that the project would lead to reduced transportation cost within the corridor, improved trade, connectivity, efficiency, likewise economies of scale around and beyond it.
Umar maintained that the multi-lane road will be made up of six lanes with three lanes on each side, to be separated with beautiful median landscaping, street lighting and modern digital signages.
He noted that the corridor will link various existing inter - border towns and routes, providing quick access and improving the border areas for trade and security support, as well as enablement.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Mohammed Ahmed in Abuja.
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