REMARKS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING, MR BABATUNDE FASHOLA, SAN, AT THE PROJECT COMPLETION AND HAND OVER FLAG OFF ON THURSDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2021 AT KOKO/BESSE LGA, KEBBI STATE
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari, I bring good tidings to the peoples and Governments of Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger States, who will be impacted by the Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road that our President will hand over today.
My principal message to you all is that this is the first of many more project Completion and Handovers our country will experience in the next few weeks and months as we enter what I call a season of completion and impact.
In this phase of completion Mr. President has approved that Ministers from the various States where projects have been completed should represent him to perform the handover formalities.
The other handing over formalities that will follow these formalities which we flag off today in Kebbi will be in:
a) Jigawa for Section II covering 142.2 x 2 (dual) Kilometers between Shuwarin and Azare, connecting Jigawa and Bauchi States.
b) Bauchi for Section III covering 106.3 x 2 Kilometers between Azare and Potiskum , connecting Bauchi and Yobe States.
c) Benue for Vandeikya-Obudu Cattleranch Road covering 24 Kilometers connecting Benue and Cross River States.
d) Ebonyi for Nnewe- Uduma- Uburu Road covering 26.27 Kilometers with 14 Kilometers spur to Ishiagu connecting Enugu and Ebonyi States.
These projects represent major investment in road Transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of the Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.
They are visible and incontrovertible Assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in, from a combination of our earned resources, and borrowings.
This occasion affords another opportunity to acknowledge the impact of the Sukuk funding in the completion of Azare – Potiskum, Shuwarin – Potiskum and Sokoto-Tambuwal- Kontagora Roads.
The Sukuk is currently contributing to progress of work on 44 roads across Nigeria and as we complete them, events like this will hold.
I want to express gratitude of our Government to the investors in the Sukuk and thank the Ministry of Finance, and the members of the National Assembly, especially the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works in the 8th and 9th Assembly for their support.
Our gratitude to the Debt Management Office is deep and continuing for their role in previous SUKUKS which have been most innovative and impactful nationwide, and for the Sukuk we are expecting.
To our staff and contractors who have worked very hard to bring these projects to conclusion I also say thank you, as I cannot fail to acknowledge the cooperation of the host communities where these projects pass through or are hosted.
I hold them out as examples of what peace can achieve, and the investments that collaboration and some sacrifice can deliver if we embrace partnership with Government.
Ladies and Gentlemen, none of these would have been possible without the support of Ministers in the Federal Executive Council during debates over the projects.
To all Ministers in the first term and this current term, I express gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Works and Housing for your support.
To the President and Vice President who preside for long hours over the Council meetings, your leadership is now bearing fruits and the evidence of change is now manifesting.
Bauchi, Jigawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Enugu and Ebonyi bear witness and there is more to come.
Thank You.
BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING
