By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO – The Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Mohammed Goronyo, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the ongoing dualization of the Sokoto-Gusau-Zaria Federal Highway.

The dualization project, a key initiative of the Federal Ministry of Works under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is being executed using rigid pavement technology, which the Minister stated would last for a century.

Inspecting the project on Wednesday, Goronyo remarked: “I am happy with the progress so far made. When completed, the road will boost socio-economic activities in the Northwest subregion. It will also increase the volume of the nation’s trans-border trade as it links the Northwest region with neighboring Niger Republic and other Francophone countries.”

The Minister praised Senator Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, for introducing the innovative rigid pavement technology into Nigeria’s construction industry.

In a separate inspection, Goronyo reviewed renovation works on the 139-kilometer Gusau-Talata Mafara-Sokoto road, which is being handled by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

The Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the issue of road damage caused by heavy trucks. Goronyo highlighted that the government invests significant resources in road rehabilitation and maintenance, only for the roads to be damaged by negligent road users.

“We will not allow unscrupulous vehicle owners to deliberately destroy our roads,” he stated, warning offenders to desist or face legal consequences.

He announced plans to launch the “Safeguard Our Roads Initiative” to monitor and protect federal highways from misuse and ensure long-term durability.

The Sokoto-Gusau-Zaria Highway, once completed, promises to transform the transportation and economic landscape of the Northwest, enhancing connectivity, trade, and development.