Odita Sunday 
Umahi Defends Tinubu’s Road Projects, Says Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway on Track
By Odita Sunday
The Federal Government has declared that work on the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway is progressing steadily, with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of construction while dismissing criticisms of the project’s implementation.
This was contained in a statement on Monday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, after the minister inspected the 162.3-kilometre Section III of the highway spanning Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.
Umahi commended Hitech Construction Company and officials of the Federal Ministry of Works for maintaining high construction standards in line with approved engineering specifications.
He said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains committed to delivering world-class infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the ongoing road projects are restoring confidence in Nigeria’s road sector and driving sustainable economic growth.
Responding to criticisms by opposition groups, the minister described the allegations as baseless, insisting that the government remains focused on delivering projects capable of transforming the nation’s economy and infrastructure.
Umahi also dismissed claims that the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is responsible for flooding in Lagos, explaining that the project was designed with adequate drainage systems and precision engineering measures to address environmental concerns. He attributed flooding in affected areas largely to poor environmental practices, particularly indiscriminate dumping of waste into drainage channels.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., described the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway as one of Nigeria’s most strategic infrastructure projects, saying it would stimulate economic growth, facilitate trade, improve transportation and strengthen cross-border connectivity with the Republics of Benin and Niger.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s support for President Tinubu’s four legacy road projects and urged ministries, departments and agencies to work together to ensure their successful completion.
Similarly, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, lauded the scale and quality of the construction, appealing to Nigerians to remain patient as work progresses. He expressed confidence that the completed highways would become enduring national assets and commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development.
Earlier, the Engineering Representative (E.R.), Engr. Oyewande Aliu, disclosed that about 25 kilometres of the right carriageway and 9.5 kilometres of the left carriageway had been completed. While acknowledging engineering challenges posed by the terrain, Aliu assured stakeholders that the project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed within the approved 26-month timeline.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North West, described the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway as a transformative national project that would connect communities, enhance security, expand economic opportunities and promote national unity.
He added that construction was advancing across the seven participating states, with complementary infrastructure, including solar-powered street lighting and dams, planned for selected sections to maximise the highway’s long-term socio-economic benefits.
The inspection team also visited the ongoing reconstruction of the Sango Ota-Idiroko Road, Section I, being handled by Messrs Visible Construction (Nigeria) Limited, where Umahi directed the Engineering Representative to report to his office and explain the slow pace of work on the contract.
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