48 years after conception, FG inaugurates Sokoto-Badagry superhighway construction

48 years after conception, FG inaugurates Sokoto-Badagry superhighway construction 

 

Forty-eight years after the idea of Sokoto-Badagry superhighway was conceived, the Federal Government has inaugurated the construction of the 1,068km road.

Speaking at the ceremony for the construction works on the Section I, Phase 1A of the project in Ilelah town, Sokoto State, Minister of Works, David Umahi, informed the gathering that the idea of the project was first mooted during the first tenure of former President Shehu Shagari but could not take off.

He said the Bola Tinubu administration broke the 48-year jinx.

He further described the event as a manifestation of one of the legacy projects of the current administration, spanning over 1,068 km with the North having 52 per cent and the South 48 per cent.

The minister revealed that the choice of concrete pavement in its design and construction was informed by the need to ensure longevity, while that of the contractor, Messrs Hitech Construction (Nig) Ltd, is premised on capacity to deliver according to specifications and on schedule.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, said the company had done a similar pavement work on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State and was doing same on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

While appreciating the commitment and support of members of the National Assembly for the President’s infrastructure renaissance, he also thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for the promise to provide security for the entire stretch of the corridor throughout the construction period.

While welcoming guests on the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Sokoto State and Commissioner for Works, Idris Mohammed Danchadi, said the project was “a dream come true” for the people of the state.

Also speaking, the Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Bakare Umar, and the representative of the Director, Highways, Bridges and Design, Musa Seidu, described the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry superhighway as a Trade, Transport and Security (TTS) Greenfield.

The corridor traverses Sokoto State through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun states and terminates in Lagos State.

The project seeks to reduce transportation costs, improve trade, connectivity, efficiency and enhance economies of scale around the corridor.

It is to be separated with median landscaping, solar street lighting and modern digital signage.

It will link various existing inter-border towns and routes, provide quick access, enhance border settlements for trade, security support and enablement.

In separate goodwill messages, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, recalled that at a Town Hall Meeting in July, 2024 at Birnin Kebbi, the Works Minister spoke about plans to embark on the project.

Also, a former Governor of Kebbi State and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aliero, stated that upon completion of the superhighway, travel time between Sokoto and Lagos would be drastically reduced by 48 hours.

He said that the dams for irrigation and electricity generation and rail lines were amongst its integral parts.

Speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goronyo, revealed that the project was a clear testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, promised to mobilise Sokoto people to assist the ministry in the delivery of the project, which he said is very dear to the people of Northern Nigeria.

Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu, said the road project, when completed, would link the state with the central and western parts of Nigeria and pledged to provide adequate security cover.