By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Mohammad Bello Goronyo, Esq., is reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to providing quality infrastructure aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians through carefully planned and strategically executed projects.
Goronyo made this statement on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the official commissioning ceremony of solar-powered streetlights along Sultan Abubakar International Airport Road in Sokoto, Sokoto State. He emphasizes that the streetlights are creating visibility, enhancing socioeconomic well-being, easing travel stress for road users, and mitigating security challenges in the area.
He is also highlighting the strategic importance of the project, noting that the road serves as an entry point for travelers coming to Sokoto through the airport and as a vital connection to Zamfara and Kebbi states. The Honourable Minister is insisting that the project aligns seamlessly with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Describing the President as a dedicated, astute, and patriotic leader, Goronyo is stating that President Tinubu is fully committed to improving the lives of Nigerians and addressing long-standing challenges from previous years.
The minister is congratulating the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the surrounding communities for the installation of the streetlights and is urging them to take ownership of the project while leveraging the opportunities it provides.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Road Management Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, is describing the project as iconic and strategically significant to Sokoto. He is stressing that the streetlights are enhancing travel experiences, prolonging trading hours, and boosting the economic activities of the community.
After the streetlight commissioning, the Honourable Minister and the FERMA MD/CEO are leading dignitaries and stakeholders to commission the recently rehabilitated Sokoto-Ilela Road.
Spanning about 58 kilometers, the road is linking Sokoto to the border town on the Nigeria-Niger Republic border. The Honourable Minister is describing it as a vital project capable of providing employment opportunities and reducing security threats in the region.
He is also warning against misuse of the road, emphasizing that the palliative works are funded by taxpayers’ money. Goronyo is cautioning road users, particularly those driving articulated vehicles, to avoid damaging the infrastructure.
“Vehicles found damaging the roads are being impounded, and offenders will be required to pay for the damage before their vehicles are released,” Goronyo warned, noting that this measure is serving as a deterrent to others.
The Minister is expressing his satisfaction with the ongoing progress and is urging all stakeholders to continue collaborating to sustain development in the region.
By focusing on strategic projects like the streetlights and road rehabilitation, the Federal Government is demonstrating its dedication to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges and creating a better quality of life for all citizens.
