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From Muhammad Gazali Garba
Former Governor of Sokoto State and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has flagged off the construction of the 35.7-kilometre Gidanmadi–Binji–Gande Road Project valued at N11.84 billion, describing it as another milestone in Governor’s infrastructure development agenda.
The project, which is being executed through a partnership between the Sokoto State Government and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), forms part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the project was jointly financed by the World Bank and the Sokoto State Government under the RAAMP initiative.
He explained that the 35.7-kilometre road would connect Gidanmadi, Tatali, Binji, Miyuki, Bunkidi, Gidan Magaji and Gande communities across Tangaza, Binji and Silame Local Government Areas.
According to the governor, the project includes the construction of hydraulic structures, a 30-millimetre asphalt wearing course, surface dressing, road shoulders and other safety facilities to ensure durability and improved accessibility.
Aliyu described the project as one of several strategic infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving rural connectivity, boosting agricultural activities and expanding access to essential services.
He noted that since assuming office, his administration had completed and commissioned several township and rural roads across Silame, Binji, Gada, Wurno, Kware, Tambuwal, Wamakko, Dange-Shuni and Rabah local government areas.
The governor said the road would significantly benefit farming communities by easing the transportation of agricultural produce to markets, reducing post-harvest losses and improving access to healthcare and education.
He urged the contractor, consultants and supervising engineers to adhere strictly to approved specifications and complete the project within schedule, stressing that quality and timely delivery remained non-negotiable.
Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing people-centred projects across the state and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting Sokoto through major Federal Government infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto–Gusau Road and the Badagry–Sokoto Super Highway.
In his remarks, Senator Wamakko commended Governor Aliyu for sustaining developmental projects across key sectors, including road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply and security.
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He said the governor had justified the confidence reposed in him despite initial doubts expressed by critics.
“Today, you have silenced your critics through your outstanding performance. Within just three years, you have demonstrated exceptional leadership, and I am proud of your achievements,” Wamakko said.
The former governor said the new road would open up rural communities, facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce, stimulate commercial activities and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents.
He also praised the state government’s social intervention programmes, including the distribution of over 200 truckloads of food items and more than 200 trailer loads of fertiliser to residents.
Wamakko further commended the administration’s prudent management of public finances, noting that despite executing numerous capital projects, the state had avoided unnecessary borrowing.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Roads, Malami Galadanci, described the project as one of the landmark rural infrastructure initiatives of the Ahmed Aliyu administration.
He said the road project reflected the government’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity and accelerating socio-economic development in rural communities.
Galadanci assured residents that the project would be closely monitored to ensure compliance with approved specifications and timely completion.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the District Head of Binji, Alhaji Usman Dan Sarki, described the project as a life-changing intervention that would improve transportation, boost agricultural production and enhance access to healthcare, education and other essential services.
He pledged the support of the host communities to ensure the successful execution and protection of the project.
The event also witnessed the defection of hundreds of members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gudu Local Government Area to the APC. The defectors attributed their decision to the developmental achievements of Governor Aliyu’s administration.
The ceremony was attended by members of the National and State Assemblies, commissioners, traditional rulers, development partners, political leaders and residents from Tangaza, Binji and Silame local government areas.
