The federal government, on Wednesday, inaugurated emergency and special intervention projects designed to mitigate the impact of flooding on Birnin Kebbi-Argungu-Kaniyaka Road in Kebbi.

The minister of works, David Umahi, who inaugurated the project in Argungu Local Government Area, said the intervention reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure challenges in the North and other parts of the country.

According to him, the project has attracted widespread appreciation from residents of the area, as it will significantly reduce recurrent flooding on the strategic road corridor.

“We are inaugurating this project today, and the people of the North are very happy with Mr President for this intervention.

“It demonstrates his resolve to respond promptly to the challenges facing our communities,” he said.

The minister, who was represented by the senior special assistant to the president on community engagement (North-West), Abdullahi Tanko-Yakasai, urged residents to continue to support the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Also speaking, the controller, Federal Ministry of Works in the state, Ishaya Vandu, said the road project was awarded by Mr Tinubu in 2024 as part of emergency and special intervention projects across the country.

Mr Vandu explained that the intervention was aimed at curbing recurring flooding and erosion that had threatened the integrity of the Birnin Kebbi-Argungu-Kaniyaka Road, particularly the dual carriageway.

On the inspection of the Kebbi section of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Mr Vandu said the exercise was to assess the level of work being executed on the project.

“The 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Road is a dream that has come true. It was conceived during the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari and actualised under the Tinubu administration,” he said.

He disclosed that about seven kilometres of the road had so far been completed with concrete reinforcement, while earthworks had been carried out on about 135 kilometres.

According to him, stabilisation works have been completed on 25 kilometres, with construction already commencing on the Yauri axis, where site clearance is currently ongoing.

The minister, after inspecting the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, inaugurated the embankment works on the Kalgo-Jega road. 

(NAN)