By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has commended Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu for donating 10 Toyota Hilux operational vehicles to strengthen security along the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway corridor.
The vehicles were commissioned and handed over to the Nigerian Army at the Headquarters, 8 Division, Sokoto.
In a statement issued by Special Assistant on Media to Goronyo, said the minister performed the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Works, senator David Umahi.
The donation is aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of security agencies protecting construction workers, equipment, and host communities along the corridor.
Goronyo described the gesture as a demonstration of Sokoto State’s commitment to national development and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is a historic national vision dating back to the Shehu Shagari administration in the 1970s, which remained unrealised until President Tinubu flagged off its construction in October 2024.
According to him, the 1,068-kilometre highway traversing Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states will facilitate movement, reduce transportation costs, boost trade, create jobs and strengthen national integration.
He stressed that effective security is critical to timely delivery of the project, adding that the vehicles will improve mobility and rapid response of troops deployed to the corridor.
Goronyo listed other strategic projects of the Federal Government to include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar-Abuja/Trans-Saharan corridor, Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano and Zaria-Gusau-Sokoto corridors, all designed to create an integrated road network.
He explained that the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the Sokoto-Badagry road will guarantee durability, while tree planting and solar-powered streetlights will enhance environmental sustainability and safety.
The Minister commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives and critical national infrastructure. He condoled with the military over the loss of personnel in a recent bandit attack, and acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser in strengthening security along the corridor.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Maj. Gen. Bengba Paul Koughna, thanked the Federal Government, Ministry of Works and Sokoto State Government for the donation.
