The Nigerian Society of Engineers and local community groups in Sokoto have expressed excitement over the ongoing Sokoto-Badagry highway project.

NSE Sokoto chapter chairman, Abubakar Ibrahim, expressed his joy during a site inspection, media tour, and commissioning of emergency road repairs on Wednesday.

The visit was led by the senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on community engagement in the North-West, Abdullahi Tanko-Yakasai.

Mr Ibrahim, also the director general of Sokoto State Rural Access Agency, praised the quality and progress of work, highlighting President Tinubu’s commitment to rural development.

“Affected communities were freed from isolation. The road opens opportunities and will benefit Nigerians for years. Some doubted the project, but now it is real,” Mr Ibrahim said.

Abdurrahman Umar, secretary of Sokoto’s Coalition of NGOs, described the project as a landmark achievement that will enhance socio-economic activities across Nigeria.

He explained that the superhighway connects seven northern and southern states, meets international standards, and features facilities that will transform the nation’s fortunes.

Johon Fourie, HITECH Construction’s project manager, praised community support, noting cordial relations and locals’ engagement in jobs for manpower development.

He added that clearance, concrete paving, solar lighting, and other works are progressing concurrently across all six project sites.

The federal comptroller of works in Sokoto, Kassimu Maigwandu, said the 120-kilometre project includes a six-lane concrete road, bridges, solar lighting, and a railway.

Mr Maigwandu added that it features CCTV cameras, health posts, security stations, and other facilities to enable a prompt emergency response. He explained that the project is executed in phases across communities, with work ongoing simultaneously at six locations under good security arrangements.

“The legacy project is more than infrastructure. It rejuvenates agriculture, tourism, education, health, and overall economic development for citizens,” he said.

(NAN)