…REQUEST TERMINATION OF SULEJA – MINNA DUALISATION CONTRACT

Through the federal government’s Renewed Hope program, Niger State is able to grow.

By strengthening infrastructure and transportation as growth-enabling factors, the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration, GCFR, continues to improve the lives of Nigerians.

H.E. Sen. (Engr.) Nweze David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, Minister of Works, made this statement during a Town Hall Meeting and Stakeholders’ Engagement on the construction of the 125-kilometer Section I, 3-lane Single Carriageway (Niger State component) of the 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Minna, Niger State, where he also talked about the development of road infrastructure. Umahi emphasised the significance of the meeting, which centres on building the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway’s 125-kilometre Niger State alignment.

The Minister stated that the Super Highway, one of the Federal Government’s four (4) Legacy Projects, will cross several states, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos. Of these, 125 kilometers will be built in Niger State. Umahi emphasizes how the project could improve infrastructure development and boost socioeconomic activity along its corridor, directly benefiting businesses and local residents.

Because of their poor condition, Niger State’s vast network of Federal roads faces many difficulties. Many of these road projects, some of which were started as early as 2010, are still unfinished. Examples include the Bida-Lapai-Lambata Road, which was awarded more than ten years ago, and the Dualization of Suleja-Minna Road, which has not been completed since it was awarded in 2010. He stated that both state and federal stakeholders prioritize timely project completion and high-quality infrastructure.

The Minister also emphasized the significance of the Stakeholders’ Engagement, which addresses concerns related to the 125-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway alignment in Niger State.

Engineer Umahi was disappointed with the condition of the Minna-Suleja road, calling it depressing and unsightly.

Engineer Umahi was disappointed with the condition of the Minna-Suleja road, calling it depressing and unsightly. The company has been receiving federal funds for over 14 years without completing the project’s work in proportion to its fictitious 84% completion claim, which he also lamented.

Additionally, the Minister said that President Tinubu’s administration places a high priority on investments meant to spur growth in a variety of areas of our country. According to the Minister, President Tinubu’s administration also prioritizes investments that will promote growth in various sectors of our nation. He urged Nigerians to remain sympathetic and supportive of the President’s efforts to improve their lot in life.

He appealed to Nigerians to continue showing compassion and backing for the President’s initiatives to better their lot in life.

H.E. Mohammed Umar Bago, the state governor, had earlier urged the federal government to cancel the Suleja-Minna road contract because the contractor, Messrs. Stabilini (Nig.) Ltd., had demonstrated a lack of capacity.
Rather, H.E. Bago suggested hiring contractors who have a track record of producing high-quality work to finish the ongoing project.

The governor emphasized the importance of hiring trustworthy contractors to guarantee project quality and timely completion while assuring his guest that the state would support President Bola Tinibu’s administration.

In order to profit from the use of concrete pavement in the building of the new alignment, he also revealed plans to build a cement factory in Niger State, taking advantage of the state’s plentiful raw materials.

Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, Ph.D., Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, emphasized in his remarks that the state’s stakeholders must work together with the federal government to support the Renewed Agenda because the president has done a good job of developing the state and will continue to support infrastructure development. He reassured the good citizens of the state and the country as a whole that the president has not, under any pretext, neglected the northern region of the country.

Sen. Rufa’i Hanga, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, spoke on behalf of the chairman and commended President Tinubu’s vision and foresight, claiming that the project would increase productivity, commerce, and socioeconomic