FG Inaugurates Road Connecting Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday inaugurated the Shuwarin-Azare portion of the Kano-Miduiguri Road, Section II, connecting several communities in Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe States.

Represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, who hails from Jigawa state, the president said the Sukkuk-funded project would enhance economic efficiency as well as the ease of doing business.

He reiterated the need for road users to be responsible in the use of the infrastructure, following the commissioning and handover so that it would last for the duration it was designed to last.

He listed some of the abuses as overloading of vehicles and trucks as well as indiscriminate parking of vehicles, especially heavy duty ones and enjoined Nigerians to avoid practices that could aggravate wear and tear on the roads.

“We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them,” he stated, reminding road users that the maximum driving speed on all federal highways in the country remain 100km/hr.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, reiterated that the road projects across the nation represent a major investment in transport infrastructure which is a commitment of the Buhari administration to drive economic growth and prosperity.

According to Fashola who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini, the projects are visible and incontrovertible assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in, from a combination of our earned resources, and borrowings.

While acknowledging the impact of sukkuk funding in the infrastructural development of the country, Fashola revealed that the fund was currently contributing to the progress of work on 44 roads across Nigeria and would be commissioned as they are completed.

“In a clear affirmation of the presence of the progressive administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in every State of our great country, we have in the last 18 days handed over roads connecting 10 states.

“Today, it gives me immense pleasure to bring the good tidings of our administration, to the peoples and governments of Jigawa and Bauchi States, who will be impacted by the Kano-Maiduguri Road Section II (Shuwarin-Azare) that our President will hand over today.

“After the handing over of the Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road, the Vandeikya- Obudu Cattle Ranch Road, the Nnewe-Oduma Road, and the Kano- Maiduguri Road Section III (Azare-Potiskum), I am happy to reiterate that this is the fifth of many more project completion and handovers our country will experience in the next few weeks and months,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Jigawa state Governor, Badaru Abubakar, said the government and people of state were full of appreciation to the president for the various projects executed or being executed in the works and housing as well as other sectors of the economy in the state.

“We have witnessed tremendous development in the last six years, all with the support of President Buhari,” he said.

Emir of Dutse, Dr. Nuhu Sanusi, who also expressed profound gratitude to the federal government on behalf of his people, however said there were other projects in the state still begging for attention.