By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
The Minister of Works, David Umahi has reiterated the commitment of Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to completing the Abuja- Kaduna-Kastina- Kano Federal Highway within a record time.
He stated this during a courtesy visit of the Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani to his office, Mabushi-Abuja, on 7th May 2024.
In a Press statement signed by Hon Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, noted during the event, the Honourable Minister said he had the directive of Mr. President 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.”
The Honourable Minister commended the Governor for the peace and development being witnessed in Kaduna State under his administration despite inherent challenges.
“I want to commend you very highly. In spite of the challenges you have in your State, you have started extremely very well. And God will be with you. God will provide the means because you mean well for the nation, for your people in Kaduna State and in fact, for everyone who is living in Kaduna State. I want to commend you. I commend you for the peace of the State, the unity of the State and the oneness of the State, irrespective of religion “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.
He also stated that a proposal was being made to link the South East to the North through the Trans Sahara Highway that would have a spur passing through Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and end in Abuja.
On his part, the Governor of Kaduna State extolled the vision and will of the President of Nigeria in revolutionizing road infrastructure, which is a catalyst for the socio- economic development of the nation, and the commitment of the Honourable Minister of Works which has changed the narrative in the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.
He said,” I have to commend him for his effort. Since his assumption to office, he has made us proud, because he has done extremely well, and because he has been able to follow the blueprint of our President, who has promised everyone when he was elected, that he would take development to every part of Nigeria, irrespective of those that elected him or not. And of course, that is the agenda, that is the Renewed Hope. Today, we are proud to say that development is reaching everywhere in Nigeria.”
He 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 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 opprtunities 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.
