Governor Umaru Bago of Nigeria has appealed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to revoke the Minna-Suleja road project from Salini Nigeria Limited.
Mr Bago made the call during a Town Hall meeting held at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre Minna.
The meeting was aimed at engaging with stakeholders on the construction of the 125 km, 3-lane single carriage, which is the Niger State component of the 1,068 km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
According to a statement issued by the chief press secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, Mr Bago alleged that Salini Company has failed and doesn’t have the capacity to execute the project which was awarded in the past 14 years.
While appreciating President Bola Tinubu for taking the bold step in bringing succour to the plight of Nigerians through the execution of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and many other legacy projects across the country, Mr Bago appealed for more interventions and a refund of the state resources expended on federal roads in the state.
He noted that the 125 km road project has enormous value to the communities around the corridor of the project, appealing to the minister to find a way of accommodating feeder roads in the design of the project to connect to farmlands in the affected communities.
In his remarks, the minister decried the delay in the completion of the Minna-Suleja road project, promising to take decisive action on the project.
He also called for a meeting with all contractors handling Federal Roads in Niger State, relevant National Assembly members, and representatives of the state to discuss ways of making the projects successful.
Speaking on the 125km Niger State component of the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, the minister explained that there are 68 dams, many farmlands, factories, irrigations, and many economic advantages along the corridor of the project.
He added that President Bola pTinubu administration decided to go for concrete roads because it is cheaper and has a life span of 50 to 100 years.
While disclosing that Mr Tinubu inherited 2,604 projects, Mr Umahi assured that the President is determined to complete them.
He also appealed for the support of the National Assembly in getting special funds for the execution of inherited and new legacy projects.
