The Senate on Thursday called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to include the North East in its Super Highway projects while commending President Bola Tinubu for the N4.2 trillion coastal road projects.
The Senate’s demand for the inclusion of the North East followed a motion moved by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central).
In his motion, titled Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2 Trillion for Construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide, Senator Goje lamented that, out of the N4.2 trillion allocated for road projects, only N19 billion was designated for the rehabilitation of two roads in the North East.
“It is imperative to note that, in this laudable project, the North East has only two road projects: Yola–Fufore–Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 billion) and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 billion), out of the approved N4.2 trillion,” he said.
“Beyond these two, several other critical road networks in the region are in deplorable condition and require urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation. These include Bauchi–Gombe Road, Biu–Gombe Road, Potiskum–Gombe Road, Darazo–Gombe Road, Numan–Jalingo Road, Yola–Mubi Road, Yola–Michika–Madagali–Gwoza–Bama Road, Ngorore–Mayo Belwa–Zing–Jalingo Road, Mayo Belwa–Jada–Ganye Road, Biu–Gombi–Maranraba Road, Biu–Damboa–Maiduguri Road, and Biu–Damaturu Road, among others.”
He emphasized that the North East is the only region not connected to the Super Highway Project initiated by the current administration.
While commending President Tinubu for launching the Super Highway Project, aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety, and stimulating economic growth, Goje stressed that the North East must not be left out.
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The Senate, in addressing the issue nationally, amended Goje’s motion from urging the Federal Government to approve the rehabilitation of roads in the North East to calling for the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the country.
During the debate, several senators commended Goje for raising the motion but also highlighted numerous neglected roads in their own constituencies that require urgent intervention.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that until Nigeria develops a concrete roadmap for continuous road rehabilitation and maintenance, the problem of dilapidated roads will persist.
He further noted that if past administrations had taken bold steps like the Tinubu administration, the issue of poor road infrastructure would not have reached its current alarming state.
