President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to complete and commissioned all initiated and inherited road projects before the end his second and last tenure.
The president has therefore promised that all such roads in the nooks and crannies of the country would be delivered for the benefit of all Nigerians.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the vow on Thursday when he commissioned and handover the reconstructed 296kms Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Koko- Birnin Yauri-Kontagora-Makera road, phases 1 and 2 .
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Justice , Abubakar Malami, SAN, said:” Any of the initiated or inherited projects by the Federal Government would be completed and handover for the benefit of Nigerians before the end of tenure of the administration.”
Buhari expressed optimism that the project epitomized determination of the government to improve the ease of doing business.
“It is a manifestation of our resolve to provide more job opportunities thereby enhancing productive engagement of our teaming population and economic value addition.
” This is in line with the Federal Government’s policy to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. It is a promise of change made and next level delivery established,” he said.
The president pointed out that the road project was commenced by the previous administration on 13th December, 2012.
” We are entering a season of completion and delivery of projects including those inherited from the past administration before we come on board.”
According to Buhari, the road has been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship.
He, therefore, called on the users to avoid road abuse in order to ensure that it last for the designed service life.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami , SAN in the end extolled Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his efforts in providing infrastructural development particularly the network of roads projects across the state.
In his remarks, the Kebbi State Governor , Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu while commending the president for actualizing his promises , stated that the road is of immense socio-ecenomic benefits to the north western states and other parts of Nigeria, especially the south west.
According to the Kebbi State Governor, ” President Buhari’s dream as captured in the three-point agenda on economy, security and accountability have all come to the fore for this project to be delivered .
” The project was inherited from the last administration and Buhari voted a lot of money to ensure its completion, in spite of the dearth of funds.
” The road enhances the socioeconomic development and security of the benefiting states , just as it is their engine of growth .”
According to the governor , ‘ the Sokoto – Kontagora Road crosses Gwandu, Aliero, Jega, Maiyama, KoKo- Besse, Shanga, Yauri and Ngaski Local Government.
The governor reeled out some of the road projects constructed by his administration across the state.
‘ In Aliero the State Government had constructed Danwarai Saddam Road and completed Sabiyel Kashinzama in addition to township road at Kashinzama and Sabiyel.
‘ In all the local Governments, the state Government had under taken road and township project which complements the benefit of the reconstructed Sokoto- Kontagora road which commenced in 2012 but was finished by the Buhari Administration. In Gwandu Local Government a 22 kilometer road between Gwandu and Argungu has been constructed .
‘ in Aliero the 8 Kilometers Danwarai Gehuru and the 5 kilometers Sabiyel to Kashinzama as well as township roads in Sabiyel and Kashinzama towns.
Other local Governments according to Bagudu include ‘ In Jega Local Goverment Nassarawa to Kyarmi Road, Dumbegu to Birninkebbi Road, Katanga to Maiyama Road have all been completed. This is in addition to township roads at Jega, Alelu, Kimba and Jandutsi.
‘ In Maiyama Local Government township roads have been constructed in Maiyama, Karaye and Sambawa towns. In KoKo -Besse , Samanaji- Dutsinmari Road, Bagudo – Besse Road were completed as well as township roads in Besse and KoKo towns which were all started afresh ‘ , he averred.
The Progressives Governors’ Forum Chairman also said that In Shanga Local Goverment both the Shanga to Yar’Besse Road and Shanga township roads have been completed.
While in Yauri Local Government , the Yauri township road was among the first projects to be completed in 2015 to 2016 ‘ In Ngaski Local Government ,the Malando- Wara, a federal road was reconstructed and traffic that goes through Kontagora was diverted’.
Bagudu also said that in spite of the hypes about borrowings by the Federal Government, the money was being put to proper use.
” It is not borrowing the money that matters , but what matters is what the money borrowed is used for,” he averred.
The Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola emphasized that, the Buhari agenda was yielding the desired positive fruits to Nigerians.
The Minister explained that the event was just a tip of the iceberg as more roads were billed for commissioning across the country.
” Nigerians will now be driving on better and safer roads that will bolster their socioeconomic developments and security .”
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Babangida Hussaini represented by Mr. Wasiu Taiwo stated that 125km of the road totalling 296km fall in Sokoto State, while 171km are in Kebbi State.
The Emir of Yauri , Dr. Muhammad Zaiyanu Abdullahi, Hon Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, Chairman House Committee on Works, Hon. Muhammad Shehu KoKo, House of Representatives Member representing the area and Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, Senator representing Kebbi Central and Chairman Senate Committee on Works delivered goodwill messages.
Highlights of the event was the commissioning of the project by representative of the President, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, assisted by Kebbi State, Governor Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
