From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
The Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris, Minister of Budget and Economy Planning,Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Senator Adamu Aliero have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing the 48 years old project, Superhighway in Nigeria.
They stated this at the stakeholders engagement on the alignment for section 1&2 Sokoto 120KM and Kebbi 258KM superhighway which totalling 378 KM that will end in Bida and move to Kwara,-Oyo and end at Badagry, Lagos State with the total 1000 KM.
While speaking at the engagement meeting in Birnin Kebbi, Minister of Works,Engr. Nweze David Umahi in his opening remark, disclosed that the superhighway which will started from Ilela in Sokoto (120Kam) will pass through Argungu -Bunza-Kamba and end at Bida town in Niger state for the first and second phase.
Umahi who explained that the project which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will officially kick off in Kebbi State in August 2024 said the project will benefitted the people of the state alot especially in the areas of agriculture, commercial and boosting of security.
According to him, ” I requested the people of Kebbi State and Sokoto State to support this project. Wherever there is need to compensate the people,we would sir down with you and we shall work out with the local communities”.
The Minister noted that the route of the superhighway was the oldest tran-sahara trade route, which was initiated more than 48 years ago but not implemented until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
He noted that the federal government will start using concrete for the construction of roads in the Northern region of the country to ensure that they lasted for 100 years.
Umahi explained that the federal government had done alot of road projects in Sokoto State and promised that all the road projects in Kebbi State especially Koko-Mahuta-Dabai,Malando-Wara road in Ngaski road will also be addressed.
He added that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be commended for implementing the 48 years old project which would be of benefits to not only Nigerians, but to the neighbour countries like Niger Republic,Benin and others.
In his remark, the Minister of Budget and Economy Planning,Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the project as very important,which he noted that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked the cabinet members to source for fund to executing the project despite the global economy challenges.
He said that, the vision of the President was to face the reality on ground and secured the necessary money for meaningful projects that would be of great benefits to the Nigerians and unborn generations.
“That is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed us to go and sources for the fund to executing our projects. Nigeria is the most vibrant economy nation which has alot of potential capacity. This project is top of the iceberg. Nigerians should be expecting alot of such to come”.
Bagudu stated that, because of the courage and determination of the current administration,the world leaders have acknowledged the Nigeria’s boldness and ready to assist in areas of needs.
Kebbi state Governor,Dr. Nasir Idris,in his remark,commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing the project and kick it off in Kebbi State.
Idris who sought for the input of the state in the passage of the routes,noted that, the government want the project execution to be fair and just to the communities in the state who would have direct benefit.
“We need to give our inputs before the conclusion of the project. So that we can justice to our people. We are taking a lion share of the project and we have to be just and fair to our people since the project will have direct benefit to our people “.
The Governor also sought the Minister intervention in the Koko-Mahuta -Dabai road and Malando-Wara road, stressed that the people of the areas,with four LGAs are really suffering due to bad roads.
In his remark,Senator Adamu Aliero, representating Kebbi Central Senatorial district, in his goodwill messages, said he is fully in support of the project and pleaded with the Minister to do something about Koko-Mahuta -Dabai road and Malando-Wara road.
The Chairman Senate Committee on works,Senator Barinade Npigi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing the project which he noted had being initiated for more than 48 years ago.
He said that the Senate will continue to give necessary support to the Presidency to excel and executed meaningful projects for Nigerians.
While collaborating his counterparts, House of Representatives Chairman Committee on Works,Hon.Hskeem Alabi,said that the House of Representatives will also be giving legislative support to ensure that appropriate budget allocation for the projects the presidency wanted to executed for Nigerians.
In his remark,the Emir of Argungu,Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera,who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the State,promised that their communities would be ready to give out necessary materials and support to ensure success execution of the projects.
Mera however pleaded that the Minister should take caution in the construction of dams during the construction of the superhighway to protect the communities from flooding.
In his remark,the former Governor of Kebbi State,Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing the project and started it from Kebbi State.
He noted that the project which will pass through Lolo-Kamba-Kaima and Ilela in Sokoto State will definitely liberated big forest bigger than sabisa forest in Borno state.
