President Bola Tinubu says his administration is constructing a 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry road that will connect Ghana and the Benin Republic.
Tinubu told business executives at the 2026 Africa CEO Forum
in Kigali, Rwanda, that he opted for concrete pavement for the project to
ensure durability and patronise local cement manufacturers.
He said the decision was made at the conceptualisation stage
of the project.
The president explained that rather than importing bitumen
for asphalt, he engaged Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, and Abdul
Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, to supply cement for the project.
“Let me give you an example. In Nigeria, we’re constructing
a 1000km Sokoto-Badagry road that’s going to link Benin Republic and even Ghana
when it’s completed,” Tinubu said.
“When we were about to start construction, I called Dangote
and BUA Abdul Samad and told them that since they’re cement producers, I’m not
going to import bitumen.
“I’m going to build a concrete road that’ll last longer.
When you see this road, it’s all concrete, and Dangote and BUA cement are what
are being used for the construction.”
Tinubu said the decision reflects his administration’s push
to promote local industries while delivering long-lasting infrastructure
projects.
The president also reiterated his government’s commitment to
improving regional connectivity and strengthening economic integration across
West Africa through large-scale infrastructure investments.
On April 23, Tinubu asked the national assembly to approve a
$516,333,007 foreign loan to support the construction of sections of the
Sokoto-Badagry superhighway project.
The project, according to the president, is designed to open
up Nigeria’s north-west and south-west economic corridor through the
construction of an approximately 1,000-kilometre high-capacity carriageway,
linking Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, stretching
from Illela to Badagry.
David Umahi, minister of works, had said concrete roads have
a lifespan of over 50 years compared to the 15-year average for asphalt.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com