ABUJA – The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway will boost agriculture and open new economic opportunities for communities and states along the 1,000-kilometre corridor, including Kebbi State.
Idris said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Media Aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
The minister made the remarks when a delegation of the Kebbi State Governor’s media team, led by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Yakubu Birnin-Kebbi, paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said about 250 kilometres of the highway would pass through Kebbi, making the project an important opportunity for the state to expand agriculture, improve trade and strengthen economic activities.
“The Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway is not just designed to link communities, states and cities together. It is also designed to provide an avenue for the advancement of economic activities in the corridor.
“About 250 kilometres of that super highway will pass through Kebbi,” he said.
The Minister said that the project would create opportunities beyond road transportation, explaining that about 63 dams are expected along the corridor, with potential benefits for agriculture, power generation and other economic activities.
He also commended the Kebbi State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure and security, saying such collaboration is important for national development.
“I have witnessed first-hand what collaboration between the Federal Government and the states can achieve in agriculture.
“In Kebbi, we saw large-scale tomato farming and women actively participating in agriculture and earning livelihoods,” Idris said.
He said that the Federal Government’s investment in major infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to take development closer to the people
He said that it was also aimed at creating conditions for businesses and communities to thrive.
“The population of Nigeria exists mainly in the states, not in Abuja. That is why the Federal Government continues to work with state governments to take development to where the people are,” he said.
The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation would continue to communicate development initiatives across the country and support efforts to inform Nigerians about opportunities created by government investments.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information said the delegation was in Abuja to brief the minister on the achievements of the state government and strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government.
“We are here to tell the story of Kebbi State and to show the progress being made.
“With the support of the Federal Government, Kebbi has enormous potential for agriculture, infrastructure and economic development,” he said.
He said Kebbi had made progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, adding that the state is committed to working with the Federal Government to unlock its development potential.(NAN)
