Odita Sunday 
Goronyo hails Sokoto gov for donating 10 vehicles to secure superhighway
By Odita Sunday
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has commended the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for donating 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles to strengthen security along the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and other strategic infrastructure corridors.
The vehicles were handed over to the Nigerian Army at the Headquarters of the 8 Division in Sokoto on Thursday, October 8, during a ceremony presided over by Goronyo on behalf of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
The donation is expected to boost the mobility and response capabilities of security personnel deployed to protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and host communities along the highway corridor.
Goronyo described the gesture as a demonstration of the Sokoto State Government’s commitment to infrastructure development and support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway was a major national infrastructure project designed to improve connectivity between northern and southern Nigeria, facilitate trade and create economic opportunities along its route.
According to him, the highway traverses Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states and is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve access to markets and essential services, and stimulate agricultural and commercial activities.
The minister said the project represented the fulfilment of a long-standing infrastructure vision dating back several decades, adding that its successful completion would require sustained cooperation among federal and state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities.
He stressed that security remained critical to the timely delivery of the project, noting that the provision of operational vehicles would enhance the ability of troops to patrol the corridor and respond to emerging threats.
Goronyo also commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure.
He expressed condolences to the military over the reported loss of personnel in a bandit attack while on official duty the previous day, extending sympathy to the bereaved families and colleagues of the deceased.
The minister further acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser in coordinating efforts to address security challenges associated with the project.
He said the Ministry of Works would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and other strategic road projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor.
Goronyo added that the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the superhighway was intended to provide durable road infrastructure, while planned environmental and safety measures, including tree planting and solar-powered street lighting where предусмотрed in the project, would support sustainability and road safety.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Bengba Paul Koughna, thanked the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Sokoto State Government for the donation.
Koughna said the vehicles would improve troop mobility and operational effectiveness along the approximately 440-kilometre section of the corridor covering Sokoto and Kebbi states.
He explained that troops conduct regular patrols and maintain several deployment points along the route, making the additional vehicles important to their operations.
The GOC assured the minister that the vehicles would be deployed appropriately to protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and other stakeholders involved in the project.
He also commended retired General Sa’ad Abubakar, a representative of Hitech Construction Company, for the company’s involvement in the project.
The event was attended by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aliyu Garba, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.
The donation highlights the role of cooperation between federal and state governments and security agencies in protecting critical infrastructure and supporting the execution of major road projects.
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