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The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo has said that no president in the last 40 years has given much priority to road infrastructure as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Goronyo, who spoke at the weekend during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja with the Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in attendance, disclosed that President Tinubu has directed the immediate rehabilitation of major bridges in bad condition across the country.
According to him, bridges slated for urgent repairs include the Wukari–Jalingo Bridge, Makwa Bridge, Gurara Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, among others.
He disclosed that these are in a move to boost the economic corridors as well as ease movement nationwide.
“The secret behind this is the unwavering commitment and support of Mr. President.
“In his Renewed Hope Agenda, infrastructure is priority number five as a key enabler of growth and development. I can say without mincing words that there has never been a president in the last four decades that has given this much attention to infrastructure,” Goronyo said.
He praised the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for “putting his wealth of engineering experience to bear” in delivering key projects, while commending FERMA’s efforts to maintain over 36,000 kilometres of federal roads despite limited funding.
The minister listed critical legacy projects under Tinubu’s administration to include the Lagos–Sokoto road, Lagos–Badagry expressway, Lagos–Calabar coastal highway, Ebonyi–Nasarawa–Abuja route, and the Trans-Saharan corridor from Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe.
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He added that all 36 states have benefitted from road interventions, with ongoing works in strategic corridors such as Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano, and Sokoto–Zaria.
“This is a president that cares for every region. He is a people’s president, present for all. With his support, we are confident of delivering prosperity and the much-needed development of our dear nation,” he added.
Speaking, FERMA’s Managing Director, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, stressed the importance of the stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a platform to strengthen collaboration with key players in the transport and petroleum sectors.
“We are working round the clock to ensure our federal highways remain in good condition. Despite the lean budget, we are adopting innovative maintenance strategies to cover more roads and respond quickly to emergencies,” he said.
The National President of NARTO, Yusuf Othman, said the meeting was timely, stressing that better roads would improve safety, reduce vehicle operating costs, and boost the efficiency of goods transportation.
“Our members ply these roads daily, and we know first-hand the impact bad roads have on the economy. This collaboration with the Works Ministry and FERMA gives us confidence that change is coming,” he noted.
Also, the National Chairman of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, pledged the association’s support for government’s road initiatives, especially in facilitating the smooth movement of petroleum products.
“Good roads mean faster and safer delivery of fuel across the country. It will reduce delays and losses, which ultimately benefits every Nigerian,” Maigandi said.
