By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senate on Thursday hailed the Federal Government for approving N4.2trillio for the construction of Calabar coastal road and other major road projects across Nigeria.
The motion, moved by Senator Mohammed Danjuma (Gombe Central), acknowledged the significance of this investment in addressing Nigeria’s deplorable road infrastructure, enhancing economic growth, and improving national security.
However, the Senate expressed concerns over the limited allocation of projects to the North-East region.
According to reports from ThisDay (February 4, 2025) and Daily Trust (February 5, 2025), the approved projects include the Lagos-Calabar Highway, Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Auchi-Edo Section, Benin Airport Area Section, roads in Anambra, Abia, and Enugu States, Lokoja-Benin Road, and Musasa-Jos Route.
The North-East was allocated only two projects: Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road (₦11.81 billion, Adamawa State) and Karim Lamido Road (₦7.68 billion, Taraba State).
Senator Danjuma noted with concern that the North-East region was excluded from the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project, stressing that several critical roads, including the Bauchi-Gombe Road, Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri Road, and Yola-Mubi Road, remain in dire need of rehabilitation.
Following deliberations, the Senate commended the Federal Government for its commitment to road infrastructure, called for urgent rehabilitation of all deplorable roads nationwide, and urged the inclusion of the North-East region in the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project to ensure balanced economic growth.
The motion was adopted by the Senate, reinforcing the need for fair infrastructural development across all regions of Nigeria