Isiyaku Ahmed
Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu), has donated 10 brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles to the Federal Ministry of Works to strengthen security for personnel and contractors working on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
The vehicles are to support security operations along the construction corridor, ensuring the safety of ministry personnel, engineers, contractors and field workers handling the multi-state project.
While presenting the vehicles to the Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello-Goronyo, Governor Idris said the gesture was part of the state government’s commitment to ensuring hitch-free progress on the project.
“Everybody knows that Kebbi takes the lion’s share of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, with about 258 kilometres of two-lane road to be constructed here.
“The work is going on smoothly, but because of security concerns, we decided to provide these vehicles so the construction will not suffer any setback,” he said.
The Governor reiterated Kebbi State’s strong commitment to the project, particularly the section that falls within its territory, noting that the road, once completed, would significantly boost commerce and agriculture across the state.
“On behalf of the Kebbi State Government, I hand over these ten brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles to the Honourable Minister of State for Works,” he said.
Receiving the vehicles, Bello-Goronyo commended Governor Idris for what he described as a demonstration of commitment to national development and alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This gesture shows your passion for a prosperous Nigeria and your full support for Mr President,” he said.
The minister assured that the vehicles would be deployed appropriately to enhance site security and support ongoing work on the superhighway, which he emphasized had “come to stay.”
He disclosed progress made so far in Kebbi State, including 64 kilometres of clearance, 30 kilometres of filling, four kilometres of dual-lane concrete pavement, and the installation of five kilometres of solar streetlights.
Bello-Goronyo described the superhighway as a transformative project designed to open up economic corridors, improve travel safety, reduce travel time, and enhance access to farmlands and dams. He noted that it would also help reduce insecurity in surrounding communities by stimulating economic activities.
Other features of the superhighway include solar lighting, CCTV cameras, boreholes every five kilometres, police stations, schools, and tree planting along the corridor.
He added that the Sokoto–Badagry route, which begins at Illela on the Niger Republic border and passes through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States, will link with the coastal highway from Badagry to Calabar and the trans-Sahara corridor extending to the FCT.
“With these legacy projects, Nigeria will be fully opened up for business, trade and economic growth,” he said, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to modernising the country’s road network.
Credit: Ahmed Idris
