Buhari commissions Kano to Maiduguri road

The Kano to Maiduguri road project...CONTINUE READING>>>

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commissioned Section II of Kano-Maiduguri Road connecting Jigawa and Bauchi States.

The 142.2 kilometres dualized road brings to five the number of roads commissioned across the country in the Season of Completion and Impact which began 18 days ago.

In his address at the event, Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, called on Nigerians, especially the communities through which the roads pass, to take ownership and protect the roads

According to him, they “have been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship” in order to enable them to last their designed lifespan.

He described the commissioned roads as “part of our many roads to prosperity”, told Nigerians, “Now that we have this new and well-built road, we have duties to ourselves and to other road users”, listing such duties to include avoiding abuse of the roads and compliance with the nation’s traffic laws as stipulated in the Highway Code.

According to the President, abuse of the roads could take the form of overloading of vehicles and trucks which accelerates pavement damage, spilling of petroleum products, and converting the road shoulders to permanent parking places, which brings the onset of road failure from the shoulder.

“We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them”, the President said.

“Accordingly, for the avoidance of any doubt, I wish to reiterate that the maximum driving speed on this and other Federal Highways nationwide is 100 (ONE HUNDRED) KM and no more”.

Buhari paid tribute to the patriotism of the Nigerians who participated directly or indirectly in the construction of the roads.

“These are not only nation builders to whom we offer our salutations, they are the heart of the Nigerian economy, the micro, small and medium enterprises that drive our economic growth”, he said.

In his own remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said the Season of Completion and Impact was a clear affirmation of the presence of the progressive administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Babangida Hussaini, said the road projects represented a major investment in road transport infrastructure.

The Minister expressed gratitude to all investors in the first and second SUKUK bond which funding helped in the completion of Azare – Potiskum, Shuwarin – Potiskum and Sokoto-Tambuwal- Kontagora Roads.

Meanwhile, Fashola said that the SUKUK funding is currently contributing to the progress of work on 44 roads across Nigeria which would also be commissioned and handed over as and when completed.

In addition, he thanked the Ministry of Finance, and the members of the National Assembly, “especially the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works in the 8th and 9th Assembly as well as the Debt Management Office”.

“I cannot fail to acknowledge the cooperation of the host communities where these projects pass through or are hosted. I hold them out as examples of what peace can achieve, and the investments that collaboration and some sacrifice can deliver if we embrace partnership with Government”.

Also speaking, the Emir of Dutse, His Royal Highness, Dr Nuhu Sanusi said the importance of the road could not be over-emphasized, as “it covers about five states”.

“It’s the heart of the economic activities, our gratitude to the Federal Government is deep for making this possible” the Emir added.