From Muhammad Gazali Garba
The Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, has commissioned the 14.54-kilometre New Zawuyya–Unguwar Maidaji–Kaurare–Gwangwan Yaya–Gwangwan Dikko Road in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The road project, awarded at a cost of ₦4,535,456,179.27, was executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) through a partnership involving the Sokoto State Government, the Federal Government and the World Bank.
The project is expected to improve rural connectivity, facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce, stimulate economic activities and enhance the socio-economic well-being of the benefiting communities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Nasir Idris expressed appreciation to the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, for inviting him to inaugurate the road project, describing the invitation as a great honour and a reflection of the cordial relationship between Kebbi and Sokoto States.
He stated that rural roads remain the backbone of grassroots development because they provide access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.
According to him, such infrastructure facilitates the movement of people and agricultural produce, stimulates economic activities, creates employment opportunities and improves the standard of living of rural dwellers.
The Kebbi State Governor observed that the people of Tambuwal Local Government Area are predominantly farmers and livestock rearers, stressing that the newly commissioned road would significantly boost agricultural production, trade and commercial activities, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of Sokoto State.
Dr. Idris commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his massive investment in road infrastructure across the state, noting that numerous township and rural roads have been constructed under his administration. He urged him to sustain the momentum and appealed to the benefiting communities to take ownership of the road by protecting it against vandalism and misuse, emphasizing that public infrastructure belongs to the people and should be preserved for future generations.
Earlier, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the construction of the road was another demonstration of his administration’s unwavering commitment to providing quality infrastructure capable of transforming the lives of the people.
He explained that the project was implemented under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank, describing the collaboration as a strategic intervention aimed at improving rural accessibility, promoting agricultural productivity and enhancing economic development.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu noted that the road would ease transportation, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, improve access to schools and healthcare facilities, stimulate commercial activities and create greater economic opportunities for the benefiting communities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in critical infrastructure across Sokoto State and expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the World Bank, RAAMP officials, the contractor, supervising consultants and members of the host communities for their support throughout the execution of the project.
The Governor also thanked Dr. Nasir Idris for accepting the invitation despite his busy schedule and urged residents of the area to protect the road from vandalism and misuse to ensure it serves generations to come.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Roads, Hon. Malami Galadanci, said the project forms part of the Ahmed Aliyu administration’s commitment to expanding rural road infrastructure and improving agricultural development across Sokoto State.
He explained that the 14.54-kilometre road, awarded at a cost of ₦4,535,456,179.27, was jointly funded by the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Sokoto State Government under the RAAMP programme.
Hon. Galadanci disclosed that about 60 kilometres of rural roads are currently being executed in Tambuwal Local Government Area, with the majority of the projects already completed.
He said the projects would improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and transform the socio-economic fortunes of the benefiting communities.
According to him, the Sokoto State Government has fully settled all financial obligations to the contractor, reflecting Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to honouring contractual agreements and ensuring the timely delivery of quality infrastructure projects.
He commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising rural infrastructure and appreciated the support of the Federal Government, the World Bank, the RAAMP National and State Project Implementation Units, the contractor, supervising consultants and the benefiting communities for their cooperation throughout the execution of the project. He also appealed to residents to safeguard the road against vandalism and misuse.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the District Head of Tambuwal, Alhaji Ahmad Dahiru Tambuwal, commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his unwavering commitment to rural development and the provision of critical infrastructure across Sokoto State.
He described the newly commissioned road as a landmark project that would improve access to markets, healthcare facilities, schools and other essential services, thereby enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the people.
The District Head also lauded the partnership between the Sokoto State Government, the Federal Government and the World Bank under the RAAMP programme, saying it would further promote agricultural development and accelerate rural transformation.
He urged the benefiting communities to protect the road and make proper use of it, stressing that public infrastructure is a collective asset that should be preserved for future generations.
He prayed for sustained peace, unity and prosperity in Sokoto State and asked Almighty Allah to continue granting Governor Ahmed Aliyu the wisdom, strength and good health to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.
