The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has said that the yearnings and aspirations of Kebbi people have been addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He disclosed this when the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku-Bagudu, State Minister for Works, Alhaji Muhammad Bello-Goronyo among others undertook an inspection tour of ongoing Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project in Kebbi State on Tuesday.
The governor said: “In Kebbi State, we don’t play with Mr President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done so many things in Kebbi State, somethings that we have not witnessed before.
“It’s pertinent to show our appreciation to Mr President through the honourable Minister of Works. Already, the yearnings and aspirations of people of Kebbi State have been addressed by Mr President.”
Gov. Idris observed that the essence of leadership was to bring development for the people, adding that Mr President had brought uncountable development to the people of Kebbi State.
“Therefore, we have no cause whatsoever not to support Mr President. By God’s grace, people of Kebbi State will support him come 2027,” he assured.
The governor promised that the state government would create an enabling environment for HITECH, the company handling the project to execute the project successfully.
Gov. Idris expressed delight that shortly after breaking of fast with Mr President on Monday, the president singled him out of his colleagues, goveronrs and confided in him that the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway had come to stay.
In his speech, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi clarified that the legacy projects of Mr President covered all the six geopolitical zones.
He appreciated Gov. Idris for not only showing total commitment towards the success of the project but also committed to Mr president’s programmes.
“I must appreciate you, you are doing fantastically well and most importantly your relationship with the past governors, your respect for them, your honour for them, God will also honour you as such.
“Whoever that will takeover from you after eight years will also honour and respects you and I want to assure you that the president heart is in this place,” he said.
The minister expressed confidence in the ability of the company handling the project, HITECH, especially with the calibre of equipment they mobilised to the cites.
Umahi recalled that the present administration had inherited a project of 350 kilometres Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, adding that they inherited 240 kilometres times two (×2) making 480 kilometres.
The minister expressed happiness that Mr President had released the section one and three 30 per cent of the approved contract sum for the remaining 240×2 kilometres Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road.
He said the president had also approved the two projects of second Niger bridge, “sections 2A and 2B, one in Anambra, the other one is in Delta State as well as Lagos-Ibada, section 2, phase 2, 30 per cent had been approved.”
Sen. Abubakar Atiku-Bagudu said president Tinubu had inherited a number of uncompleted projects, but the president promised that none of them would be abandoned.
He eulogised the president’s profound thinking that “the world is not” building infrastructure from government funding alone but also innovative financing.
“And being somebody who has invested in relationships in Nigeria and elsewhere, he was quick to find friends of Nigeria, sons of Nigeria, who are willing to take the first challenge and fund part of these construction.
“So, HITECH is not just a construction company but it is behind the innovative financing that has supported us to have started this transformative project, not only this one but also Lagos-Calabar Costal Highway,” he noted.
On his part, the Managing Director, HITECH, Dany Abboud assured the readiness of the company to deliver a quality job within the stipulated period of time.
