By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Bola Tinubu |
The dualisation of the 1,068 kilometres of road in the Illela local government of Sokoto State was announced by the Nigerian federal government on Thursday.
Hitech Construction Company Limited was given the contract for the road, which will begin in Illela town of Illela Local Government in Sokoto and is anticipated to travel through seven states: Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Ahmed Aliyu, the governor of Sokoto State, said he was very passionate about the projects.
The governor's remarks praised Senator David Umahi, the Works Minister, for his dedication to making the projects a reality.
He also gave Tinubu credit for appointing a devoted individual and a man of his word as his minister for works.
The governor expressed gratitude to the president for building the road and promised that his administration would provide sufficient security for those working on it in order to ensure its prompt completion.
"The people of this state owe the President a debt of gratitude for his unwavering support, which includes everything from fertiliser distribution to food palliatives for our people," he stated.
As part of his love for the state's citizens, the governor also praised the president for granting the state an extra ministerial slot.
Aliyu also praised the President for addressing the state's insecurity since the directives were given to the state's defence minister, which he claimed had made a significant contribution to the state's security.
According to him, the state's citizens will cast more votes than anticipated for the president in the general elections in 2027, ensuring that he is re-elected and able to carry on his excellent work.
David Umahi, the Minister of Works, also spoke, stating that the road's flag off is one of the four legacy projects, totalling more than 3,000 kilometres of road built by the current administration.
“Let me tell you that this project, the Northern territory has 52 per cent while the entire South has 48 per cent.
“When we assumed office in 2023, we inherited over 2,000 kilometres of road and Mr President is committed to delivering all the roads,” he said.
According to him, President Shehu Shagari started the Sokoto-Badagry road project approximately 48 years ago. It has six lanes, which will help it avoid traffic congestion.
“We must appreciate Mr President for the road and the work he is doing, we assure you that we will finish it, the first phase will finish in 2027 and if you want the second phase to continue, you know what to do.
“The super highway will be designed with solar power streetlight, CCTV camera among other technologies as it is being done in other parts of the world, it is only President Bola Tinubu that can do it and we are already on it,” he said.
Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, expressed his gratitude to the federal government for building the road.
However, he made a strong case for the federal government to prioritise the welfare of its citizens, arguing that it is crucial to their survival.
He also urged the Works Minister to move quickly on the Sokoto to Zaria road, which he claimed is highly valued by the state's citizens.
In addition, Abubakar urged the federal government to collaborate with state governors to expedite the road's completion, giving his personal assurance that he would keep an eye on the project's development.
"Since 2015, we have been demanding this, we deserve railway transportation in this state, and I will continue to disturb Mr. President on it," he added, urging the federal government to provide for rail transportation from Sokoto to Lagos.
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, said in his remarks that the road is crucial to the nation's citizens.
He said, “We are in Illela to flag off the Illela to Badagry super highway, which is a promise kept by Mr President and part of his renewed hope agenda.
“Nobody demanded Illela to Badagry road or Lagos – Calabar superhighway , but it was out of the desire of Mr President to improve on our infrastructure in the country.
“Mr President is a believer in the country and he is proving to Nigerians that his interests and desire is to improve on the infrastructure development of the country.”
The Minister also assured Tinubu that the people of Sokoto and Kebbi States would always be appreciative of him and praised him for his plans for development.
The road was initially started roughly 48 years ago, according to Senator Adamu Aliero, who represents Kebbi Central and was previously the governor of Kebbi State.
According to him, the road will revolutionise travel from Sokoto to Lagos and boost the national economy.
Aliero also urged President Tinubu to think about building a railway from Ilella to Lagos in order to further advance the nation's development.
But he gave his word that the Senate would continue to provide sufficient backing to finish all of the legacy projects that the Tinubu-led government started, including the road from Illela to Badagry.
President Tinubu holds the Sokoto-Badagry road in the highest regard and is dedicated to seeing it through to completion, according to Bello Goronyo, Minister for the State for Works.
According to him, the road will boost the nation's economic growth since it will undoubtedly lead to the creation of more jobs.
Senator Atiku Bagudu, the Minister for Budget and National Planning, said in his remarks that the day is very significant for the nation's citizens.
“We are in Illela to flag off the Illela to Badagry super highway, which is a promise kept by Mr President and part of his renewed hope agenda.
Furthermore, the Minister assured Tinubu that the people of Sokoto State and Kebbi State would always be grateful to him for his development plans.
Additionally, Senator Adamu Aliero, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, stated that the road was initially started approximately 48 years ago.
According to him, the road will revolutionise travel from Sokoto to Lagos since it will enhance the transportation industry.
Aliero also urged Tinubu to think about building a railway from Sokoto to Lagos in order to further advance national development.