The Senate on Thursday urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to include North-East in the Highway projects just as it commended President Bola Tinubu for the N4.2 trilion coastal roads projects.
Senate’s call for inclusion of North-East in its Super Highway projects followed a motion moved to that effect by Mohammed Danjuma Goje ( APC Senator – Gombe Central).
During Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, the Federal Government approved a total of N4.2 trillion for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar road and other key highways and bridges across the Country.
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According to Umahi, these projects aim to address the deplorable state of federal roads and boost economic development as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Goje noted that a breakdown of the projects, as reported in ThisDay and Daily Trust newspapers, included major road works in Lagos, Delta, Anambra, Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Abia, Enugu, and Adamawa States, among others.
However, Goje expressed concern that “the North-East received only two projects: the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road (N11.81 billion) and the Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 billion), leaving many other critical roads in the region in poor condition.”
He lamented that the “North-East remains the only region excluded from the administration’s flagship superhighway project, emphasizing the economic impact of neglected infrastructure.”
Other senators supported Goje’s motion, citing the pressing need for balanced road development nationwide.
Tahir Monguno representing Borno North decried the severe infrastructure deficit in the North-East, urging the Senate to support the motion.
He emphasised the economic importance of roads such as the Maiduguri-Baga route, which leads to Lake Chad.
Similarly, Sani Musa from Niger State, pointed out that poor roads hinder economic diversification and haulage, citing the deplorable state of the Minna-Suleja road.
He criticised the inefficacy of the Sukuk bond and tax credit schemes for road financing.
Titus Zam representing Benue North West, called for an expanded scope of projects in the North-East, highlighting the dire condition of the Makurdi road and urging the Ministry of Works to intervene.
Sunday Karimi, however, argued that road construction in the region had been prioritised during the 8th Senate and emphasised the need for sustainable funding models, such as toll collection.
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“It will look as if the North East was unfairly treated and intentional but that wasn’t the situation.
“In the 8th Senate, a lot of construction was done in the North East roads. Funds were not available for the construction of roads.
“We need to take a holistic approach to the management of our roads. We need to bring toll fees back to our roads, a lot of people are using our roads without paying”, he said.
Olamilekan Adeola representing Ogun West noted the president approved that the sum of 500 billion was allocated to all ongoing roads. The funds were shared among over 60 roads ongoing across the country.
Other senators, including Oyewunmi Olalere, the deputy minority leader, and Idiat Adebule, stressed that road deterioration was not unique to the North-East but a national issue, urging a holistic approach to road rehabilitation.
However, Isah Jibrin insisted that the debate remain focused on the North-East, suggesting other regions should present separate motions.
Following extensive deliberations, the Senate resolved to, “Commend the Federal Government for embarking on these ambitious and laudable projects that would go a long way to guarantee socio-economic and political wellbeing of the citizenry of this Country.
“Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the Country.”
The Senate further “urged the Federal Government to extend the renewed hope super highway road project to the North-East, so as to ensure full inclusion of the Zone into the mainstream economic activities of the Country.”
In closing remarks, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, acknowledged the importance of road infrastructure and stressed the need for a long-term roadmap for road maintenance.
He said, “The motion is good and what the motion is saying is the rehabilitation of roads. I believe strongly that if the previous administration had gone into serious construction, we wouldn’t have these deplorable road States.
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“Until we have a serious road map and serious maintenance in this country, this will be a recurring problem.
“We should have a road map on how to maintain our roads. We will continue to have these issues unless we sit down, even if we declare the roads as a state of emergency, we need to have a road map. It’s a shame on the Ministry of works we don’t have any till now.
“The majority of the money goes to two major roads, Lagos-Calabar roads, and Sokoto to Lagos because those two roads are new projects.
“Then 500 billion was left aside for ongoing roads to avoid abandoned projects.”
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