The Sokoto State Government has commissioned two major infrastructure projects valued at N5.6 billion in Silame Local Government Area as part of efforts to improve rural connectivity and stimulate economic activities.
The projects comprise the N2.4 billion Silame Bridge and the 9.4-kilometre Garin Magaji-Gittarana rural road.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, commissioned the projects during activities marking the third anniversary of the administration of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu.
The projects are expected to improve the movement of agricultural produce, reduce post-harvest losses and connect rural communities to larger markets.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Sule commended the Sokoto Government for making rural infrastructure a priority.
He said functional roads and bridges were essential to economic growth and improved living conditions.
“I can see smiles on the faces of all the good people who are here, as well as all the beneficiaries. I am also aware of the numerous township and rural roads that you have executed,” Sule said.
He said the infrastructure would improve the movement of people and farm produce while providing better access to schools, healthcare centres and commercial areas.
According to him, the projects would also stimulate trade, create employment and strengthen the productive capacity of Silame, where farming and livestock production are major sources of livelihood.
Sule urged the Sokoto Government to maintain the pace of road construction and called for greater cooperation among northern governors to address the region’s infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.
He also urged residents to protect public infrastructure from vandalism and destruction.
“Government projects should no longer be regarded as nobody’s property. Let us all develop the culture of protecting public infrastructure because it is meant for our common good,” he said.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the projects demonstrated his administration’s commitment to transforming rural communities and expanding economic opportunities beyond urban centres.
He explained that the Silame Bridge was constructed at a cost of N2.4 billion and comprised two six-cell box culverts, a retaining wall and asphalt overlay extending from the Silame Police Station to the bridge.
Aliyu said the bridge was strategically important to residents of Silame, Wamakko, Bodinga and Kware local government areas because of the high level of agricultural and commercial activities in the area.
He said the project would also improve connectivity between Sokoto and neighbouring Kebbi State and complement the Federal Government’s Illela-Badagry Superhighway.
On the 9.4-kilometre Garin Magaji-Gittarana road, the governor said the project was executed in partnership with the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
He said the road was designed to connect farming communities with markets and essential services.
According to Aliyu, the road would facilitate the evacuation of farm produce, reduce travel time, improve road safety and make movement easier for students, patients, traders and other residents.
He listed other rural roads executed by his administration to include Buzallega, Lukuwa, Yar Gaga-Malakawa Shellar, Kakatuku-Dandamu, Unguwar Midaji-Kaurare-Gwagwar Yaya-Gwagwar Dikko and Gande-Mali-Gwahitto-Fakko.
The governor said more projects had also been awarded and were either completed, commissioned or at various stages of construction.
Aliyu commended the Ministry of Works, contractors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the projects.
He also warned residents and road users against damaging public infrastructure, stressing that the projects were funded with taxpayers’ money.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating what he described as a conducive fiscal environment that had enabled states to undertake development projects.
Deputy Governor and Supervising Commissioner for Works, Engineer Idris Muhammad Gobir, said the projects demonstrated the administration’s commitment to using infrastructure as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation.
He assured residents that the Ministry of Works would continue to enforce quality standards to ensure durability and value for public money.
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