The Federal Government has restarted its determination to rebuild road infrastructure in the North-West region of Nigeria.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North West), Mr Abdullahi Tanko-Yakasai, stated this in Gusau on Tuesday when he led the National Media Tour team for an inspection of the Zaria-Gusau-Sokoto dual Carriage Way project.
The national media tour team comprised the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, Muhammed Ahmad, and representatives from National media houses.
The team also comprised Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Mrs Bukola Odeyemi, among other officials of the Federal Ministry of Works.
The media tour team inaugurated an emergency project of road repairs at Gidana Dawa area and an access road to the Federal Secretariat in Gusau, the Zamfara capital
Tanko-Yakasai said the dualisation of the Zaria-Gusau-Sokoto highway, which spans Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto States, by the Tinubu administration would boost the region’s economic growth.
He added that the road project was of strategic importance to economic growth, trade, and security in the North-West.
“President Tinubu is passionate about ensuring massive infrastructural development in all parts of the country, particularly the north west.
“We really appreciate Mr President for executing these projects in our region.
“This project, if completed, would boost commercial activities and enhance security and social development of the region,” he explained.
According to him, the Federal Government was committed to the timely completion, stressing that durable materials were used and describing it as a significant investment, aligning with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for infrastructure.
He commended the contractors handling the projects and urged them to comply with all contractual agreements and to ensure a speedy, high-quality job.
Tanko-Yakasai added that Tinubu deserves support from the people of the North-West by executing legacy projects that would guarantee support for hundreds of years.
Responding, the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Works in charge of Zamfara, Mr Kasimu Yusuf, described the visit as a welcome development.
Yusuf said that the contract for the dualisation of 372 kilometers of the Zaria-Gusau-Sokoto highway was awarded by the Federal government in 2023, with a 48-month duration.
He said the contact was categorised into four sections, saying, “Section one covers Zaria in Kaduna State to Sheme in Katsina State, while section two covers Sheme in Katsina State to Gusau in Zamfara.
Section three covers Gusau to Colony –Talata Mafara in Zamfara, while section four covers Talata Mafara, Zamfara to Sokoto.
“The 86.1 kilometers of section two segment of the project has achieved 52 per cent completion, while the 93.7 kilometers of section three achieved 14 per cent of completion,” he explained.
According to him, the contractors handling the project are executing a quality job and working in line with the contractual agreement with the Federal Government.
The media tour team met with contractors and officials from the Federal Ministry of Works in Zamfara.