Senate asks FG to fix roads, include N/East in ‘super highway projects’

The Senate on Thursday asked the federal government to approve the rehabilitation of deplorable roads in the North East and other parts of the country to improve the socio-economic and political wellbeing of the citizenry.

The red chamber also asked the federal government to extend the “renewed hope super highway road project” to the North East to ensure full inclusion of the zone into the mainstream economic activities of the country.

The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by a former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, during plenary.

Goje, a former minister and Senator representing Gombe Central, in the motion noted that in the laudable road projects being executed by the President Tinubu administration, the North – East has only two projects (Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State, N11.81 billion; and Lamido Road in Taraba State, N7.68 billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 trillion.

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Goje said, “Also notes that apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road.

“Others are, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.

“Further notes that the North – East is the only zone that is not connected to the super highway project embarked upon by this administration.”

The red chamber also urged the federal government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the country.

The Senate commended the federal government for embarking on “the ambitious and laudable projects”, saying it would go a long way in enhancing the socio-economic and political wellbeing of the people.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session thanked Senator Goje for the motion, saying road infrastructure remained one of the priority areas of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.

Akpabio said, the federal government was particularly committed to the completion of the Sokoto – Lagos and Lagos – Calabar road projects in the country, stressing the end would guarantee improved socio-economic activities in the country.