Kebbi lists gains of Sokoto-Badagry highway, says Tinubu reviving decades-old vision
…project to boost food security, trade, tourism, says Deputy Governor …presidential team cites visible progress as answer to critics of mega highway The Kebbi State Government on Wednesday outlined the
...project to boost food security, trade, tourism, says Deputy Governor
...presidential team cites visible progress as answer to critics of mega highway
The Kebbi State Government on Wednesday outlined the economic and social benefits of the ongoing Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reviving and executing the ambitious project more than 45 years after it was first conceived during the administration of late President Shehu Shagari.
Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, said the project would transform transportation, agriculture, commerce and tourism across the Northwest and Southwest regions of the country.
Tafida spoke in Birnin Kebbi while conducting members of the Presidential Media Team and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors on an inspection tour of federal and state government projects in the state.
He noted that the longest stretch of the 1,068-kilometre super highway, about 258 kilometres, passes through Kebbi State, describing the project as a major economic corridor that would connect agricultural and commercial centres across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, the Deputy Governor said the highway reflects President Tinubu’s “nationalistic view” of development because of its multi-state impact and strategic linkage of key economic hubs.
He said the road would significantly ease the transportation of agricultural produce such as rice, tomatoes and onions from Kebbi to other parts of the country.
“Transport and development go hand in hand. Farmers will now find it easier to move equipment and transport farm produce to markets quickly.
“Perishable goods like tomatoes can now reach markets in good time without losses associated with bad roads,” Tafida said.
The Deputy Governor recalled that the highway proposal had remained dormant for decades until the Tinubu administration reviewed the original design, adjusted the masterplan and commenced implementation.
“This plan has been there for a very long time, but President Tinubu came, reviewed the design and masterplan, made adjustments and awarded the contract. Today, it is almost becoming history because the work is progressing steadily,” he added.
Tafida also commended the quality of construction work, particularly the concrete pavement and solar-powered street lighting being installed along the route.
He disclosed that the state government was working closely with security agencies to guarantee the safety of construction workers and host communities.
Leading the inspection team, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the visible progress recorded on the project had silenced critics who doubted President Tinubu’s resolve to deliver the legacy infrastructure.
The delegation inspected sections of the corridor in Kebbi State as part of the ongoing assessment tour of projects across the Northwest.
Dare explained that the exercise was organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Media Team to provide direct evidence of ongoing projects and achievements of the Tinubu administration in the region.
“The very essence of our coming is to set the record straight and showcase the achievements of the administration of President Tinubu in this state and the Northwest as a region. Seeing is believing. We’ve come, we’ve seen it, and we’re standing on the roads he has done.
“We’re standing on concrete roads. We’re seeing testimonials from people in these communities who say this project was abandoned for decades and has now been reactivated.
“There is clear evidence of work being done. We’re seeing progress, completion of roads, commissioning of roads and how they are impacting economic life,” Dare said.
He said the administration’s infrastructure drive was anchored on a long-term development strategy aimed at positioning Nigeria among leading modern economies.
According to him, flagship projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway are central to the administration’s target of building a $1 trillion economy through strategic infrastructure investment.
Read Also: Philippine-based Nigerian Bishop celebrates 20 years of impact
“When you look at the requirements of the 21st century, it emphasises infrastructure, human capital development and futuristic planning,” he said.
Dare described the Sokoto-Badagry project as one of the most ambitious road projects in Nigeria’s history, noting that it would unlock previously inaccessible areas and stimulate economic growth along the northern corridor.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Northwest), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, said the highway would strengthen food security and drive regional economic expansion.
He added that the corridor would incorporate dams and other supporting infrastructure to support all-season farming and facilitate easier movement of agricultural produce nationwide.
At the project site, Site Engineer, Engr. Malami Aliyu said construction work on the Kebbi section was progressing according to schedule.
Aliyu disclosed that the Kebbi segment covers Phases 2A and 2B, stretching from kilometre 120 to kilometre 385.
He said site clearance, filling works, stone base construction, and sub-surface works were progressing steadily, while concrete pavement construction and streetlight installation had already covered 19 kilometres.
According to him, Section 2A is 40 per cent complete, while Section 2B stands at 16 per cent.
The engineer added that there were no major challenges currently affecting construction activities on the project in Kebbi State.
