The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it is committed to addressing the accumulated road infrastructural needs of the country which would contribute progressively to the reinvigoration of the national and sub-national economies.
Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi gave the assurance in the spirit of Renewed Hope, during courtesy visit of Kwara Governor, double as Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his counterpart from Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo to his office in Abuja recently.
The Minister said that holistic attention is being given to the Federal roads in all the States of the Federation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and this could be seen in the numerous road projects going on in the country under the Renewed Hope administration.
According to him, “In all honesty, the roads are very terrible. But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now, you will see a lot of commitment by Mr. President, not just on that stretch…, but all over the country.
“That’s why he directed that I must visit all the States and all the projects.” Assuring the Governors who visited that the Ministry would look at the funding mechanism to kick-start the project once approved by Mr. President, as it is not contemplated by the budget.
“And so, for coming and you had discussed this project with Mr. President, he does not joke with the welfare of Nigerians. He’s one person that is infrastructure committed right from when he was Governor.
“Even on his own personal businesses, you’ll see the development of infrastructure. So, he’s very much interested. He understands that the road is everything in this country. It will improve security, improve agriculture, improve commerce and so on and so forth”, the Minister added.
Speaking on behalf of the two Governors visited is the Kwara State’s Abdulrahman who said the purpose of their visit was to bring the condition of Ilorin-Lokoja road to the attention of the Federal Government for possible intervention.
Added that the road which also stretches to Markurdi, Gboko up to the Republic of Benin is key not only to the enhancement of the economy, but also to the development of solid mineral and agriculture in Nigeria.
He expressed delight in the abundant interventions of Mr. President on road infrastructure across the nation and hoped that with the outcome of their meeting, the Federal Government would look into ways and means to fund the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization.
He stated, “The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization of the Federal Highway. And it’s a very important road, which is not just an economic road, but belt of solid minerals in Nigeria, agricultural belt. So the road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce, agriculture.”