Sokoto Commissions N5.6bn Rural Roads, Bridge In Silame
SOKOTO — The Sokoto State Government has commissioned two major rural infrastructure projects valued at N5.6 billion in Silame Local Government Area, in a move aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating economic activities in rural communities.
The projects comprise the N2.4 billion Silame Bridge and the 9.4-kilometre Garin Magaji-Gittarana rural road.
The projects were commissioned by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, during activities marking the third anniversary of the administration of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu.
Speaking at the commissioning, Sule commended the Sokoto government for prioritising rural infrastructure, describing roads and bridges as essential to economic growth and improved living conditions.
He said the projects would facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce while improving access to schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other commercial centres.
According to him, the infrastructure would also boost trade, create employment and strengthen farming and livestock production, which are major sources of livelihood for residents of Silame.
Sule urged the state government to sustain its road construction programme and called for stronger collaboration among northern governors to address the region’s infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.
He also appealed to residents to protect public infrastructure from vandalism and deliberate destruction.
Earlier, Governor Aliyu said the projects were part of his administration’s commitment to providing infrastructure capable of transforming rural communities and expanding economic opportunities across the state.
He explained that the Silame Bridge, constructed at a cost of N2.4 billion, comprises two six-cell box culverts, a retaining wall and an asphalt overlay extending from the Silame Police Station to the bridge.
Aliyu said the bridge was strategically important to residents of Silame, Wamakko, Bodinga and Kware local government areas because of the concentration of agricultural and commercial activities along the corridor.
He added that the project would improve connectivity between Sokoto and neighbouring Kebbi State and complement the Federal Government’s ongoing Illela-Badagry Superhighway.
On the Garin Magaji-Gittarana road, the governor said the 9.4-kilometre project was executed in partnership with the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
He said the road would connect farming communities to markets and essential services, reduce travel time, improve road safety and ease the transportation of agricultural produce.
Aliyu listed other rural roads executed by his administration to include Buzallega, Lukuwa, Yar Gaga-Malakawa Shellar, Kakatuku-Dandamu, Unguwar Midaji-Kaurare-Gwagwar Yaya-Gwagwar Dikko and Gande-Mali-Gwahitto-Fakko.
He disclosed that additional road projects had been awarded, with some completed and commissioned while others were at various stages of construction.
The governor commended the state Ministry of Works, contractors, community leaders and residents for their contributions to the successful delivery of the projects.
He urged residents and road users to protect the infrastructure, stressing that the projects were funded with taxpayers’ money.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor and Supervising Commissioner for Works, Idris Muhammad Gobir, said the projects demonstrated the administration’s commitment to using infrastructure as a catalyst for socio-economic development and improved opportunities for rural communities.
Gobir assured residents that the Ministry of Works would continue to enforce quality standards on road projects across the state.
