The Federal Government has begun the design of the Badagry-Sokoto Coastal Highway project.
ASHENEWS recalls that a motion titled, “Need for the construction of the Badagry/Sokoto Highway to promote economic growth and development” was considered by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) in March 2021.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar (APC, Kwara North), and co-sponsored by the Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger North); Sani Mohammed Musa (Niger East); Bello Mandiya (Katsina South); Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe, (Kwara Central); Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South); Tolulope Akinremi Odebiyi (Ogun West); and Ibikunle Oyelaja Amosun (Ogun Central).
ALSO READ Commuters to pay N3,000 on Lagos-Calabar highway
This platform recalls the Senator arguing that the Badagry-Sokoto Highway was initiated over 40 years ago as part of 4th National Development Plan, and commenced by the General Olusegun Obasanjo regime in 1978, but abandoned in 1979 after he handed over power to late Shehu Shagari.
“The original conception of this expressway was a linkage road between the North and South Nigeria and some West African countries through Seme Border; to ease carriage of goods across the borders as it connects Apapa seaports and Seme land border as well as one of the largest industrial hubs in the country, the Agbara Industrial Estate.”
ALSO READ Senate abandons probe into abandoned Badagry-Sokoto Expressway project
The Minister of Works, David Umahi disclosed this during an inspection of the end of section one, phase one of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and its realignment in Lagos on Sunday.
According to him, the president has directed the Ministry of Works to begin designs for the project and works would start on the Sokoto end once the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approves it.
“I’m happy that Mr President has also directed me to start the immediate design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway. This one is a spur of the Coastal highway, and that one is 1000 kilometres.
“We’ve started the design and I’m very sure that as soon as Federal Executive Council approves it, we will be starting at Sokoto side, which is the zero point.
ALSO READ Coastal Highway: Umahi inaugurates demolition of Landmark Beach
“We also have another spur which is going to go from Enugu -Abakaliki-Ogoja going to Cameroon. So, we have that spur and it’s about 361 kilometres, going through Otukpo to Benue to Nasarawa and ends up at Apo in Abuja.
“We are also going to be presenting it to Mr President, and when this is done, then the coastal routes like we promised will go to circle the entire country,” the Minister said.
The Minister stated that once finished, the coastal road will link the South-West, South-South, North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions of Nigeria.
Umahi strongly emphasized the importance of the coastal road project, noting that it would be the first of its kind in Africa.
The Minister’s announcement of another coastal highway comes amid the controversy generated by the construction of the over 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway considering the cost, damages to properties along the route and litany of other uncompleted projects across the country.
Sen. Dave Umahi did not mention the estimated cost of the proposed Badagry-Sokoto coastal highway project.
Nairametrics
