The Senator representing Kano South Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila has sympathized with families of the 11 persons who lost their lives in an auto crash along Kano-Maiduguri federal Highway last Friday.
In a statement by Senator Sumaila expressed grief over the demise of the 11 people, regretting that Kano-Maiduguri road has remained a death trap to many road users.
Senator Kawu emphasized that the over 550-kilometer dualization project was awarded by the Federal Government at the end of the second tenure of former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
He explained that the importance of this road to the Nigerian economy cannot be overemphasized as it serves as an international link with Chad Republic, Cameroon, Niger Republic, and the Central African region.
He thereby emphasized the importance of the road in boosting the economic activities between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries
Kawu also said that the road which also connected Kano with Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Borno states, was playing a greater role in the economic activities of the states.
The Senator however, lamented that despite its importance, the road had claimed several lives due to non-completion of the project for almost 17 years since the award of the project.
He said it was regrettable that although over 50 kilometers of this portion of the road have been completed, however, a distance of less than 30 kilometers of the portion had not been completed, thereby, causing accidents among motorists.
“Apart from cases of accident, armed robbery has been taken place on this road for several years. I have personally complained to the relevant authorities, yet, the problem persist,” he said.
“It is very sad that the Federal ministry of works and housing and the contractor handling the project have failed to complete this project despite allocation of huge amount of money in the budget. I will continue to pursue for the completion of this road.”
Senator Sumaila assured to continue to fight for fairness in the budgetary allocations to the six geopolitical zones, but some people for their selfish interests were kicking against our moves.
“With enough budgetary allocations to the geopolitical zones, this kind of projects would have been finished in time. It is our duty as members of the National Assembly to channel the plights and yearnings of our constituents to the executive arm of government in order to do the right thing to improve their wellbeings “
The senator, therefore, appealed to the Federal ministry of works and housing and the contractor handling the project to ensure completion of the road in order to save the lives of the people.
REl/ Bashir M
