The Federal Government yesterday called on stakeholders and investors to take advantage of the construction of the 1000-km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and other infrastructural projects to optimise economic opportunities.
Works Minister David Umahi; Kwara and Niger State governors (AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi and Umaru Bago); , Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akeem Alabi; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Community Engagement, Mrs. Chioma Nweze; Youth Development Minister Dr. Jemilat Bio and Senator Barinada Mpigi and other stakeholders alluded to the opportunities in the ongoing infrastructural drive of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It was at the stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the alignment of Niger (125-km) and Kwara (188km), totaling 313-km out of 1000-km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Ilorin. Umahi called on them to ensure the success of the projects, especially the Sokoto- Badagry Superhighway.
The minister had also met with stakeholders in Kebbi on the Kebbi State’s axis.
Umahi noted that the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway has been in the pipeline for the past 48 years.
He said: “You can imagine the successive administrations that came and left and not even a single kilometre was done. It remained a dream. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was raised by President Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State 25 years ago. The president will accomplish all the three legacy projects. We invite the governors to buy into the project.”
Commended the efforts Governor AbdulRazaq in Kwara and as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, said: “Kwara is lucky to have Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. I have seen a lot of developments since coming to town. But he is not just doing great in Kwara; he is helping the President to properly create good relationships with the Governors. He is a very calm and humble man, and a silent achiever.”
AbdulRazaq said the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure Project, which connects Kwara to the superhighway projects, will boost Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
Bago said Nigeria needed a value chain in agriculture and road infrastructure.
He called on stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, ruling out payment of compensation for road infrastructure “because it is for the development of the state”.
AbdulRazaq, who lauded Tinubu’s bold vision to develop infrastructure, enhance national connectivity and grow the economy, said: “What we are doing this afternoon is another testament to the bold vision of President Tinubu and another evidence that our country is in a race to align development priorities and population growth with commensurate infrastructure that connects every part of Nigeria. But much more important is the decision of the President to make the people the centrepiece of this bold vision.”