From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto on Rural Roads,
Hon. Malami Muhammad Galadanchi Bajare, says the state government has awarded contracts for the construction of 1,365 kilometers of rural roads across the 23 Local Government Areas, with an additional 530 kilometers already identified for execution.
Galadanchi disclosed this on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Sokoto on the achievements of the current administration in the rural roads sector from 2023 to date.
He said some of the 1,365 kilometers have been completed and commissioned, some are completed and awaiting commissioning, while others are at various stages of completion.
The Special Adviser explained that the roads are being executed in three categories: asphalt, surface dressing, and feeder roads.
He cited examples of the Gada-Illah-Gari-Dutse-Tabanni road of about 9.5 kilometers, and multiple projects in Tambuwal Local Government Area totaling over 100 kilometers.
These include the Dogondaji-Nabaguda-Yagawal- Tambuwal road of about 23 kilometers, the Faga-Alasan-Romon Liman road of 21.18 kilometers, among others.
Galadanchi further disclosed that about two months ago, the state government directed the Department to identify another 530 kilometers of rural roads and that consultants have already been engaged for the design.
He said, “When the 530 kilometers are added to the ongoing 1,365 kilometers, the total will reach 1,895 kilometers of rural roads under the present administration.”
He also revealed that the government is constructing three modern markets in Ileila, Gada, and Bodinga Local Government Areas, with each having a grain market and abattoir.
Hon. Malami Muhammad Galadanchi added that one of the markets will be ready for commissioning in the next one to two months.
The Special Adviser specifically commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for according top priority to his 9-Point Smart Agenda, including the provision of quality rural roads across the state.
On why the administration is prioritizing rural roads, he said, “without roads people cannot go to school, access hospitals, or move farm produce to the market.
“Nothing can be done without a road. You cannot go to hospital. You cannot even take hospital equipment.
“We want to have access. Access to the towns, access to the market, access to the farms. That means we are creating access to the world.”
On expenditure, Galadanchi said payments are being made to the contractors as certificates are submitted and that he would need to check records before giving exact figures.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, he said the people of rural Sokoto have seen the impact of the administration and would vote for continuity.
Hon. Malami Muhammad Galadanchi said, “the communities have been demanding some of the roads for between 40 and 70 years and are now getting them, adding that it is a matter of “seeing is believing.”
He appealed to the people of Sokoto State to continue to support Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto to enable the government to deliver more dividends of democracy.