Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has commissioned two major infrastructure projects executed by the Sokoto State Government in Silame Local Government Area.
The projects, which include the N2.4 billion Silame Bridge and the 9.4-kilometre Garin Magaji-Gittarana rural road, have a combined value of N5.6 billion.
Governor Sule inaugurated the projects on the invitation of his Sokoto State counterpart, Governor Ahmed Aliyu, as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Aliyu administration.
Speaking on Wednesday at the ceremony, Governor Sule commended the Sokoto State Government for prioritizing rural infrastructure, describing roads and bridges as critical drivers of socio-economic development.
He noted that the interventions would ease the movement of people and agricultural produce, improve access to essential services like healthcare and education, and ultimately uplift the living standards of the residents.
According to him, the projects hold immense significance for Silame, where farming and livestock production constitute the primary sources of livelihood.
“I can see smiles on the faces of all the good people who are here, as well as all the beneficiaries. I am also aware of the numerous township and rural roads that you have executed,” Sule said.
While urging the administration to sustain its development tempo, the Nasarawa governor advocated for stronger collaboration among northern governors to formulate unified strategies in addressing the region’s infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.
He also appealed to the host communities to protect the newly commissioned facilities against vandalism, emphasizing that public infrastructure must be preserved for future generations.
“Government projects should no longer be regarded as nobody’s property. Let us all develop the culture of protecting public infrastructure because it is meant for our common good,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Ahmed Aliyu described the projects as another milestone in his administration’s commitment to grassroots development.
He explained that the Silame Bridge fulfilled a vital campaign promise, featuring two six-cell box culverts, a retaining wall, and an asphalt overlay extending from the Silame Police Station.
Governor Aliyu highlighted that the bridge is strategically positioned to enhance connectivity across Silame, Wamakko, Bodinga, and Kware local government areas, while linking Sokoto and Kebbi states. He added that the infrastructure complements the Federal Government’s ongoing Illela-Badagry Superhighway project.
Regarding the 9.4-kilometre Garin Magaji-Gittarana road, Aliyu disclosed that it was executed in partnership with the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to drastically reduce travel time and facilitate the seamless evacuation of farm produce.
The governor listed several other rural roads completed or awarded by his administration, including the Buzallega, Lukuwa, Yar Gaga-Malakawa Shellar, and Gande-Mali-Gwahitto-Fakko roads, among others.
Aliyu went on to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing an enabling environment and improved revenue allocations that have strengthened the financial capacity of states to execute meaningful development projects.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor and Supervising Commissioner for Works, Engineer Idris Muhammad Gobir, assured residents that the ministry will continue to enforce strict quality control to ensure value for public resources.
