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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Federal Government has disclosed that the contractor handling the Sokoto–Lagos–Badagry superhighway has covered 135 kilometres in layout of concrete, clearance and earthworks, with 17 kilometres remaining to be done between the Kebbi and Sokoto axis.
Comptroller of Works, Kebbi State Office, Engr. Ishaya Vandu, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen during an inspection of the project and the commissioning of an emergency special intervention on flooding on the Argungu and Kalgo–Jega roads by the Minister of Works, Dr David Umahi.
Vandu explained that out of the 258 kilometres of the trench within the Kebbi axis, they have completed a full seven kilometres of concrete, with additional earthworks covering about 135 kilometres.
According to him, “the essence of the tour was to enable the general public to see the reality of some projects done by Mr President in this state, and the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway is one the projects we are having in Kebbi State.
“Sokoto–Badagry superhighway is 1,068 km, started from Illela in Sokoto State to Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo and then down to Badagry. This project is a dream come true. This project was conceived during late Shehu Shagari administration and given birth during the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As we can see, the last time we were here, we didn’t start anything like CRCP. It was only the earthwork. But today, as you can witness it, we have started CRCP from kilometre 177 down to kilometre 170. We are descending.
“So, we have full length of three lanes dual and a median in between. We have covered about 7 kilometres fully with CRCP. And if you go further from this project, we have gone far with earthwork up to kilometre 135. The only distance left now between Kebbi and Sokoto is 17 kilometres that we have not attended to. If you go there now, site clearance is ongoing on that axis.
“We have covered about 25 kilometres’ stabilisation in that aspect. When you look at the place we have reached stabilisation, it is close to about 35 kilometres and our reinforcement work is ongoing. We have another set of workers working on Yauri axis and we have 10 kilometres of site clearance there.
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“So, this administration is trying to ensure that before the quarter of this year, we achieve coverage of reasonable length. This project is coming to be a reality and it is a reality,” he said.
In his remark, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Northwest, Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai, noted that the highest portions of the superhighway are sited in the Northwest due to the love of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the geopolitical zone.
He said: “We are in Kebbi State to inspect the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway. As earlier mentioned, this trench from Sokoto to Badagry is 1,068 km. But as it were, we are in Kebbi; this state has the largest section of the project because it covers 258 km. So, this is the longest route of the Sokoto–Badagry super high axis.
“The importance of this road could not be over-emphasised because the people of the communities which this project passes through are very excited. They are getting jobs to do and small-scale businesses are thriving. We are appealing to the contractors to continue to do the good work because we have seen the layout of concrete pavement and we have seen that the quality is being adhered to.
“Most importantly, I want our people to know that this road has solar street lights. As the road project continues, so the solar lights. If you come out in the night, you shall see the beauty of this project. This is significant because it would strengthen security; this place will not be in darkness.
“Another important thing, we have to thank Mr President, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. Because of his courage, this project, conceived during late President Shehu Shagari, is being implemented by our President, which is over 45 years ago. But Mr President is determined, courageous and wants to satisfy our people from the Northwest; that is why he embarked on this gigantic project,” he said.
The inspection team commissioned flooding intervention embankments at Argungu village and on the Kalgo–Jega roads, respectively.
