The Sokoto State Government has identified, designed and awarded contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of about 1,365 kilometres of rural roads across the state. Another 530 kilometres have also been earmarked for development, bringing the total under the current administration to around 1,895 kilometres.

Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Rural Roads Development, Malami Muhammed, disclosed this in an interview. He said the roads already awarded are at different stages, with some completed and commissioned, others ready for commissioning, and the rest still under construction.

The projects include feeder roads, surface-dressed roads and asphalt roads. Muhammed explained that the focus on rural roads is driven by their importance to farming, healthcare, education and local economic activities.

Without proper roads, he said, people struggle to reach schools, hospitals or markets.

He noted that some of the new roads have already reduced transport costs for farmers. In one community, the cost of moving a bag of onions to Gada dropped from about ₦10,000 to ₦1,000 after a road was completed, making it easier for vehicles to load produce directly.

The government is also building three markets in Illela, Gada and Bodinga, which are at various stages of completion. Muhammed urged residents to protect the new roads and appealed for continued support so that the rural infrastructure programme can be sustained.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper