The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently approve the rehabilitation of all deteriorating roads across the country. The Senate further urged the government to include the North East in the Super Highway projects, commending President Bola Tinubu for the N4.2 trillion allocated for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and other major road projects.
The Senate emphasized the need for the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project to extend into the North East, ensuring that the region is fully integrated into the nation’s economic activities. This resolution followed a motion titled “Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2 Trillion for Construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide,” which was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central).
Senator Goje raised concerns over the N4.2 trillion road projects, noting that despite the large allocation, only N19 billion was earmarked for the North East. This sum covers just two projects: the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road (N11.81 billion) in Adamawa State and the Lamido Road (N7.68 billion) in Taraba State. He highlighted several crucial roads in the region that are in dire need of rehabilitation, including:
- Bauchi-Gombe Road
- Biu-Gombe Road
- Potiskum-Gombe Road
- Darazo-Gombe Road
- Numan-Jalingo Road
- Yola-Mubi Road
- Yola-Michika-Madagali-Gwoza-Bama Road
- Ngorore-Mayo Belwa-Zing-Jalingo Road
- Mayo Belwa-Jada-Ganye Road
- Biu-Gombi-Maranraba Road
- Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri Road
- Biu-Damaturu Road
Goje further pointed out that the North East remains the only region excluded from the Super Highway Project, undermining regional connectivity and economic development.
While commending President Tinubu for initiating the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and other major infrastructure projects, the Senate insisted that road rehabilitation efforts must be more evenly distributed across all regions.
Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West) clarified that the N4.2 trillion coastal road project was specifically allocated for the Badagry-Sokoto and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Roads, not based on regional considerations. He also revealed that N500 billion had been set aside for the rehabilitation of existing roads across all zones.
Senator Idiat Adebule (APC, Lagos West) expressed concerns over the delayed completion of the Lagos-Badagry Road, which started in 2023 but remains unfinished.
Senator Isah Jibril (APC, Kogi East) emphasized the need for a long-term road development plan, proposing a four- to five-year strategy to ensure balanced infrastructure development and avoid regional marginalization.
In closing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the importance of having a serious roadmap for ongoing road rehabilitation and maintenance. He noted that if past administrations had taken proactive measures like the current government, Nigeria would not have reached this critical stage of road deterioration.
