From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, on Tuesday flagged off the construction of the 23-kilometre Durbawa–Maikujira Road Project in Sokoto State.
The N9.52 billion project is aimed at improving rural connectivity, boosting agricultural productivity, and promoting socio-economic development in the benefiting communities.
The road project, valued at N9,521,064,133.33, is being executed through a partnership involving the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Sokoto State Government.
The flag-off ceremony was part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ahmed Aliyu described the project as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, rural transformation, and strengthening the agricultural value chain in the state.
The governor said his administration had prioritised infrastructure development, especially road construction, with several township and inter-community roads completed and commissioned across Sokoto State.
He explained that the Durbawa–Maikujira corridor is located within an agricultural zone with significant economic importance, noting that poor road conditions had over the years affected the movement of farm produce, access to markets, and essential services, particularly during the rainy season.
According to him, the collaboration between the state government, World Bank, AFD, and the Federal Government shows confidence in the administration’s development agenda.
He added that the project would improve access to markets, facilitate the movement of goods and services, create economic opportunities, empower communities, and enhance rural development when completed.
Governor Aliyu appreciated the support of development partners and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to infrastructure development nationwide.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, described the project as a major infrastructure intervention initiated by the Sokoto State Government under Governor Aliyu.
He said roads serve as economic lifelines that connect communities, reduce transportation costs, promote trade, and improve access to healthcare and education.
Goronyo noted that the project would benefit farming communities by improving access to markets, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing income opportunities for farmers and traders.
He said the project aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, alongside other major infrastructure initiatives such as the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, and the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Sokoto Road Corridor.
The minister commended the Sokoto State Government for complementing federal infrastructure efforts and urged communities along the road corridor to support contractors and protect the project for sustainable benefits.
He thereafter formally flagged off the construction of the road project.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Roads, Malami Galadanci, disclosed that the state government had constructed over 377 kilometres of rural roads within the last three years through its Rural Road Development Programme.
He added that the government had approved the design of 530 additional roads as part of efforts to expand rural infrastructure across the state.
The ceremony was attended by the APC leader in Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; members of the National Assembly; Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga; Secretary to the State Government, Bello Muhammad Sifawa; commissioners; advisers; local government chairmen; traditional rulers; and other dignitaries.
