THE MINISTER of Works, David Umahi, said the Federal Government has converted the reconstruction of the 750km Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria Road project to concrete pavement for greater impacts.
Umahi disclosed this during an inspection tour to the ongoing road project in Dange-Shuni Local Government Atea of Sokoto State on Wednesday.
He stated that the present government recognised that many constructed Nigerian roads lasted for below 15 years while the concrete road innovation was aimed at ensuring more durability of roads across the country.
The minister explained that President Bola Tinubu deserved people’s support ahead of the 2027 General Elections, adding, “because of his commitment on executing legacy projects that target at maximum impact to the people’s lives at all levels.”
He emphasised that Tunibu was executing a 47-year-old dream of former President Shehu Shagari, which was 1,068 km Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project which had reached an appreciable stage.
Umahi reminded the contractors and officials handling the project that complete maintenance of the existing road with asphalt was instructed while the concrete work is ongoing in the other side.
” This was the decision reached based on President Tinubu’s mission of reducing the hardships faced by Nigerians and ensure that roads are motorable at all times,” Umahi said.
According to him, the Minister of State Works, Permanent Secretary and other ministry’s officials would by next week also inspect ongoing road projects from Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kano States to ensure quality and seamless projects.
In his remark, the Minister of State, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, described the project as a commercial booster and life-saving on the citizens, adding that the road project would surely enhance security and social developments.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Alhaji Abdullahi Yakasai, said Tinubu was passionate toward ensuring massive infrastructural development in the region.
Yakasai said that security challenges had drastically reduce due to the president’s efforts and urged Nigerians to support him for his success and consideration for improve people wellbeing.
He also observed that the essence of leadership was to bring development to the people, adding that the president had brought uncountable developments to the people of the country.
Earlier, the Sokoto State Deputy, Gov. Alhaji Idris Gobir, thanked the ministers for the visit, describing the tour along with the project as a clear testimony of Tinubu’s concern to the people of the state.
Gobir reassured that the payment of compensation to the affected communities and structures would soon be completed to ensure hitch-free and hasten the project’s execution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rep. Al-Mustapha Ibrahim (APC-Sokoto) member representing Wurno/Rabah Federal Constituency and the contractor commended federal and state governments for the committment on the project. (NAN)
