The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR, for completing one of the legacy roads his administration inherited; the Sokoto-Tambuwa-Gwandu-Aliero-Jega-Yawuri-Kotongora road.
The Governor said this over the weekend when the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE paid him a courtesy visit.
He said: “The road is one of the most important roads, not only does it link other states with the Federal Capital Territory, but it is the main gateway to Lagos.”
Continuing, he said: “I remember in 2015 when we came in before the completion of the road, whenever we were having security council meeting, it was a nightmare for the Emir of Yauri to come, but today, he even look forward to coming for the meetings.”
He commended the efforts of the Ministry that made it possible for Mr. President to complete the road saying that it was one of the numerous uncompleted roads that were inherited by the Buhari’s administration.
Speaking on the importance of the road, the Commissioner of Works and Transportation, Alhaji Chika Ladan commended Mr. President also saying that it has saved the road users more travelling time.
“Traveling from Yauri to Birnin Kebbi used to take about five hours traveling time, but today, it takes less than two hours on the same road,” he said.
The Minister, who was in the state to verify the claims of refund on the Federal Government roads undertaken by the State Government, said that out of the total distance of road we have in the country, about 34,000 kilometers of the distance is under the jurisdiction of Federal Government.
“Out of the 34,000 kilometers, we are currently working on over 13,000 kilometers simultaneously with over 800 contracts currently going on all over the country, covering all the Six Geo-Political Zones” he added.
The long distance Sokoto-Tambuwa-Gwandu-Aliero-Jega-Yawuri-Kontogora road is divided into two sections. The Kebbi section of the road is about 171km with an origin at Jega township roundabout with a standard 7.3m carriageway. While the Sokoto section is about 133km with additional 8.0km Bye pass and it originated from Sokoto Airport roundabout through South West direction passing through Bodinga-Shagari-Tanbuwal, Aliero and terminates in Jega town at the Birnin Kebbi-Koko roundabout.
The overall percentage completion of works to date is 100% in Sokoto section and 99.94% in Kebbi State section respectively. Lane Marking in the Kebbi section is in progress.
Boade Akinola
Director (Press and Public Relations)
