The federal government has flagged off the construction of the 1,068-kilometer road in Illela local government area of Sokoto state, which was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited.
The road, which starts from Illela town of Illela local government area of Sokoto, is expected to pass through seven states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States respectively.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, described the projects as very dear to his heart yesterday.
In his remarks, the governor commended the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for his commitment to making the projects a reality.
While appreciating the President for launching the road, the governor assured his administration would ensure adequate security for personnel working on the road to ensure its speedy completion.
The governor also commended the President for giving the state an additional Ministerial slot, which he said was part of his love for the state’s people.
Aliyu also commended the President for dealing with insecurity in the state since the directives given to the Minister of State for Defence, which he said has contributed in no small way to its security.
He said the state’s people will give the president more votes than expected in the 2027 general elections to ensure his return to office and continuation of good work.
In his remark, the Minister for Works, Senator David Umahi, said the road’s flag-off is one of the current administration’s four legacies projects, including over 3,000 kilometres of the road.
“Let me tell you that in this project, the Northern Territory has 52 per cent while the entire South has 48 per cent.
“When we assumed office in 2023, we inherited over 2,000 kilometres of road, and Mr President is committed to delivering all the roads.”
He said President Shehu Shagari initiated the Sokoto—Badagry road project about 48 years ago. It has six lanes, which will enable it to have low traffic jams.
“We must appreciate Mr President on the road and the work he is doing; we assure you that we will finish it; the first phase will finish in 2027, and if you want the second phase to continue, you know what to do.
“The superhighway will be designed with solar power streetlights and CCTV cameras, among other technologies, as it is being done in other parts of the world. Only President Bola Tinubu can do it; we are already on it.”
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also commended the federal government for constructing the road.
However, he appealed to the federal government to also prioritise the welfare of the citizens, which he said is also very important to the people’s survival.
He appealed to the Minister of Works to expedite action on the Sokoto-Zaria road, which he said is very dear to the state’s people.
The Minister for Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, described the road as a significant day for the country’s people.
He said, “We are in Illela to flag off the Illela to Badagry super highway, “ a promise kept by Mr President and part of his renewed hope agenda.
“Nobody demanded an Illela to Badagry road or a Lagos—Calabar superhighway, but Mr President wanted to improve our infrastructure in the country.
“Mr President is a believer in the country, and he is proving to Nigerians that his interests and desire are to improve the country’s infrastructure development.”
The Minister further commended President Bola Tinubu for his developmental plans and assured him that the people of Sokoto and Kebbi States would forever remain grateful to him.
