BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Government has secured the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway with Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system and street lighting for the safety of road users and communities along the corridors.
This is even as the government assured that the ongoing landmark project is designed to enhance national integration, trade, and security, reaffirming its commitment to delivering safe, durable, and economically transformative road infrastructure.
During a Media Tour of the project site, Federal Controller of Works in Sokoto State, Engr. Kasimu Maigwandu, explained that the Super Highway originates from Illela in Sokoto, at the Nigeria–Niger Republic border, traversing Kebbi State in the North-West Zone, Niger and Kwara States in the North-Central, and terminates at Badagry in Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria.
According to him, the project which ranks among the most economically influential infrastructure investments in the country, aims at facilitating the efficient movement of people, goods, and services within Nigeria and across neighbouring countries such as Niger and the Benin Republic, while ensuring safer, faster, and joyful transportation.
Maigwandu noted that the road cuts across numerous markets, cities, rural communities, and agricultural hubs - an intervention expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity, stimulate commerce, create employment opportunities, and strengthen national security and integration.
He disclosed that construction activities are progressing steadily at several locations, including Katami, Silame, Gande, Bunkari, Gada, Madi, and Illela, adding that modern construction techniques such as Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology and integrated solar street lighting were deployed to ensure durability and safety for road users.
The Project Manager, Messrs Hitech Construction Company Limited, Mr. Joharn Fohan Foucice confirmed that construction is progressing smoothly without major challenges, assuring Nigerians of the contractor’s commitment to quality workmanship and timely delivery.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai reassured the host communities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s resolve to provide adequate security to enable uninterrupted and speedy completion of the project.
"As you can see, there is a strong security presence around this project," he emphasised.
Yakasai said that the presence of security personnel have been critical to the smooth execution of the works, noting that contractors would not have operated effectively without adequate security.
"We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that despite the security challenges in the region, work has continued uninterrupted since its commencement," he added.
He further explained that the concrete-paved Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway will strengthen unity and connectivity between the North-West and other regions of the country, thereby accelerating socioeconomic growth.
"This road will link Ilelah, Sokoto directly to Badagry in Lagos. There are dams along the corridor that will support all-year-round farming, boost agricultural activities, and improve economic prosperity, especially in the North-West Zone with vast arable land," he stated.
The SSA-P appreciated President Tinubu, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq. for their extraordinary leadership and zeal in the provision of roads and bridges, noting that construction is ongoing seamlessly and simultaneously across six points on the alignment.
Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Sokoto Branch, Engr. Abubakar Yahaya, and a Civil Society representative, Dr. Abdul Umar commended the contractor and Ministry of Works for strict adherence to quality standards.
They highlighted the importance of the project’s engineering design, noting that the 20-centimetre concrete pavement thickness strictly conforms to specifications in the Bill of Quantities, ensuring durability, longevity, and value for money.
Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Sokoto State Council, Comrade Muhammed Nasir Bello commissioned Emergency Repair works on the Sokoto–Tambuwal–Jega Road (Route A1), as well as Reinstatement of Washouts and Failed Sections at KM 33+050, KM 33+500, and KM 67+200 along the Sokoto–Jega–Kebbi State Border Road.
As communities along the project’s corridor continue to cooperate with the contractor, the Federal Government is optimistic that their support will facilitate the smooth execution and timely completion of the historic national investment.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed in Abuja.
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