The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to complete many roads under construction across the country.
He gave the promise while receiving the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo who came to plead for the quick completion of the Ilorin- Lokoja highway.
The Minister said that holistic attention is being given to the Federal roads in all the States of the Federation and this could be seen in the numerous road projects going on in the country under the Renewed Hope administration.
“In all honesty, the roads are very terrible. But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now, you will see a lot of commitment all over the country”, said the minister.
He said the project is not captured in the 2024 budget but promised that the Ministry would look at the funding mechanism to kick-start the project once approved by the President.
Governor Abdulrazaq said the purpose of their visit was to bring the condition of the Ilorin-Lokoja road to the attention of the Federal Government for possible intervention, adding that the road which also stretches to Markurdi, Gboko up to the Republic of Benin is key not only to the enhancement of the economy, but also to the development of solid mineral and agriculture in Nigeria.
He expressed delight in the abundant interventions of the President on road infrastructure across the nation and hoped that with the outcome of their meeting, the Federal Government would look into ways and means to fund the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization.
“The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the dualization of the Ilorin-Lokoja highway. And it’s a very major important road, which is not just an economic road, it is a belt of solid minerals in Nigeria and agricultural belt. So that road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce, agriculture, ” said the Kwara State governor.
Governor Abdulrazaq, on his X handle, gave account of the meeting with the minister :
“Following an earlier discussion I had with Mr. President, today, in company of His Excellency the Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, I visited the Honourable Minister of Works H.E. Engr. David Umahi to make a strong pitch on behalf of our people for the dualisation of the Ilorin-Lokoja expressway via Omu Aran and Kabba.
“I also appealed to the Honourable Minister for the immediate construction of two flyovers at Oko-Olowo Junction and Shao Junction, both on the Ilorin Jebba Expressway. This appeal became necessary to save lives at these important axes of the road. It is instructive that Hon. Ahmad Yinka Esho (Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency), who also joined our delegation, had raised a motion in the House of Representatives on these two critical junctions and a need for the Federal Government to urgently address the issue.
“The Ohan Bridge in Moro; Share to Patigi Road; and Wawa, Kaiama, to Kishi Road also featured in our discussion with the Honourable Minister, and we truly appreciate the warm reception that His Excellency Umahi accorded us.
“We look forward to beautiful outcomes from this important engagement, while commending the President for his commitments to equitable infrastructural and socioeconomic development in every part of our country.”
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