• Names of defaulting contractors will be published- Minister

Stakeholders across Kwara and Niger States have commended President Bola Tinubu for the bold step to construct the 1000-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry superhighway.

At least, 188 kilometres of the road cut through different Kwara communities, while 125kilomteres of it are on Niger land.

The commendation was given in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday the 4th of July, 2024, to brief the public on the Kwara and Niger Sections of the superhighway, as well as rally public support for it and other initiatives of the President.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was ably represented by Kwara Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, said the proposed road project attests to the bold vision of President Tinubu to develop infrastructure, which enhances national connectivity and helps to grow the economy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, 188 kilometres of the road traverse different towns and communities of Kwara State. The socioeconomic implications of this Renewed Hope Infrastructure Project for national connectivity and growth cannot be fully appreciated by this generation.

This conversation has helped our people to own the initiative, and I assure Mr. President and his team that our people will give all the support needed to see it through,” the Governor added.

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, for his part, urged the people from Kwara and Niger to support the federal government by taking ownership of the road projects, emphasizing that these projects are for their benefit.

“We need to tell our people that the government is not seizing their land; the federal government is bringing development to them. We are not going to pay one kobo for compensation because it is for their own good,” Governor Bago said.

The Minister of Works- Engr. David Umahi, who applauded the supportive roles Governors AbdulRazaq and Bago play in enhancing the Renewed Hope Agenda, said the Ministry has 18 federal projects in Kwara State alone and efforts are ongoing for them to be prioritized.

“And we have over 18 contractors who have not reported to site. I have directed that checks be made to know if they have collected mobilisation. If they have, we’ll use EFCC to recover the funds and our hardworking Perm Sec. and Directors have been directed to publish the names of this defaulting contracts and by Friday, Saturday their names will in three (3) major newspapers” says Engr. Umahi

Meanwhile, among other dignitaries present are; federal and state law makers including Kwara North’s Sadiq Umar; Minister of Youth Development Dr. Jamilah Bio; state cabinet members; royal fathers; industrialists led by Dr. Kamoru Yusuf of KAM Holdings; party stalwarts; community leaders; transport unions; farmers’ associations; civil society organisations; marketers associations; and the youths.