The Kebbi State Government has praised President Bola Tinubu for reviving and executing the long-awaited Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, describing it as a major economic and developmental breakthrough for Northern Nigeria.
Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Umar Abubakar Tafida, gave the commendation on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi while conducting members of the Presidential Media Team and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors round ongoing federal and state government projects in the state.
Tafida noted that Kebbi hosts the longest stretch of the highway, covering about 258 kilometres, and said the project would significantly boost economic activities by linking the Northwest to the Southwest region of the country.
According to him, the road project, first conceived during the administration of late President Shehu Shagari over 45 years ago, is finally becoming a reality under President Tinubu.
He said the highway would ease transportation for farmers and traders, especially in moving agricultural produce such as rice, tomatoes and onions to markets across the country.
“Transport and development go hand in hand. Farmers will now find it easier to move equipment and transport farm produce to markets quickly,” Tafida said, adding that perishable goods would now reach markets faster with reduced losses caused by poor road conditions.
The Deputy Governor also commended the quality of construction work, including the use of concrete pavement and solar-powered streetlights, while assuring that the state government was working closely with security agencies to protect workers and host communities.
Speaking during the inspection, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said visible progress on the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway had silenced critics who doubted the administration’s commitment to the project.
Dare said the inspection tour was aimed at showcasing achievements of the Tinubu administration across the Northwest region and providing first-hand evidence of ongoing infrastructure development.
“We’re standing on concrete roads. We’re seeing testimonials from people in these communities who say this project was abandoned for decades and has now been reactivated,” he said.
He described the Sokoto-Badagry corridor and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as key infrastructure projects that would support the administration’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.
Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Northwest), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, said the highway would strengthen food security and regional economic growth by improving access to markets and supporting year-round farming activities.
Meanwhile, Site Engineer for the project, Engr. Malami Aliyu, disclosed that construction work in Kebbi State was progressing steadily.
According to him, the Kebbi section covers Phases 2A and 2B, stretching from kilometre 120 to kilometre 385, with site clearance, filling works, stone base and concrete pavement construction already ongoing.
He added that 19 kilometres of concrete pavement and streetlight installations had been completed, with Section 2A currently at 40 per cent completion and Section 2B at 16 per cent.