The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu to completing the Abuja- Kaduna-Katsina- Kano Federal Highway within record time.
He gave the assurance when the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani visited him at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the event, the Minister said he had the directive of President Tinubu to present a programme that could see to the completion of the project within the next one year. He assured the Governor that the project, which was inherited from the past administration, would be started in three sections as soon as possible.
He said, “We are going to have the first section of 38 kilometers by 2, (which is 76 kilometers,) done by Dangote Group of Companies on Tax Credit and it’s going to use concrete to do it. We will allow the next 82 kilometers for Julius Berger to handle. And then the last 20 kilometers by 2, (which is 40 kilometers) for BUA to handle and to also use concrete to do that. And I can assure you that the job will start in these three sections within this month of May.”
Umahi commended Governor Sani for the peace and development being witnessed in Kaduna State under his administration despite inherent challenges.
He further stated that the President’s directive on designing 1000 kilometers Sokoto- Badagry Highway was being handled with dispatch by the Federal Ministry of Works, noting that the project would cover the old African trade route of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos States, connecting to Badagry.
On his part,Governor Sani extolled the vision and will of the President in revolutionizing road infrastructure, which is a catalyst for the socio- economic development of the nation, and the commitment of the Minister of Works which has changed the narrative in the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.
The Governor also commended the President’s initiative to construct Lagos-Calabar road and the Sokoto-Badagry road, noting that the projects would enhance the socio-economic potential of the country when completed.
He emphasized the importance of the Federal Government’s intervention on the Eastern Bypass in Kaduna State, the Mando-Benigwari road connecting the North West. He said that the road was of prime importance for agricultural programmes in the North.
“And for all of us in Northern Nigeria, you will agree with me that farming is very important. And what we really want is creating opportunities for people that are in the rural areas. That will certainly help, particularly our farmers, linking our farms with markets. Our people believe in this infrastructure to support our farmers”.
