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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the take-off of the construction of the Trans-Sahara trade route, it emerged on Wednesday.

According to him, the superhighway conceived in 1956 but abandoned holds a huge economic potential for the country when completed.

The President tasked his cabinet members to source funds for executing the project despite global economic challenges.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu stated this at the Ministry of Works stakeholders’ meeting in Birnin-kebbi on the alignment for sections 1 & 2 of the superhighway, covering 120 KM in Sokoto and 258 KM in Kebbi, totalling 378 KM, and ending in Badagry, Lagos State.

In a statement on Wednesday by Abdullahi Ameen Mohammed, on behalf of the acting Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Works, Bagudu stated that the vision of the President was to address the reality on the ground and secure necessary funding for the benefit of Nigerians and future generations.

He said: “That is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed us to go and source the funds to execute our projects.

“Nigeria is the most vibrant economy with a lot of potential capacity. This project is just the tip of the iceberg. Nigerians should expect many more of such projects.”

He added that due to the courage and determination of the current administration, world leaders have acknowledged Nigeria’s boldness and readiness to assist in areas of need.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, informed the superhighway will begin from Illela in Sokoto (120 KM) through Argungu, Bunza, and Kamba, ending at Bida town in Niger State for the first and second phases.

According to Umahi, Tinubu would officially kick off the project in Kebbi State that would be of immense benefit to the people of the State and the adjoining areas, especially in agriculture, commerce, and boosting security.

“I request the people of Kebbi State and Sokoto State to support this project. Wherever there is a need to compensate the people, we will sit down with you and work it out with the local communities,” he said.

While noting that the route of the superhighway was the oldest Trans-Sahara trade route, initiated over 48 years ago, Umahi pointed out that the project was not implemented until President Tinubu’s administration.

He emphasised that the Federal government would start using concrete for road construction in the Northern region to ensure longevity for up to 100 years.

Umahi also highlighted that the Federal government had completed many road projects in Sokoto State and promised that all road projects in Kebbi State, particularly the Koko-Mahuta-Dabai and Malando-Wara roads, would be addressed.

He added that the President deserves commendation for reviving the project, which would benefit not only Nigerians but also neighbouring countries like Niger Republic, Bénin, and others.

The project’s stakeholders commended the President and his team for the initiative and for heeding the yearning of millions of Nigerians to resuscitate the 48-year-old Superhighway.

Kebbi Governor, Nasir Idris, commended Tinubu for implementing the project and kicking it off in Kebbi State.

While seeking the State’s input on the route passages, Governor Idris noted that his State government wanted the project execution to be fair and just to the communities directly benefiting from it.

“We need to give our input before the conclusion of the project so that we can do justice to our people.

“We are taking a lion’s share of the project, and we have to be just and fair to our people since the project will have direct benefits for them,” he said.

He also sought the Minister’s intervention on the Koko-Mahuta-Dabai and Malando-Wara roads, stressing that the people of these areas, including four Local Government Areas (LGAs) are suffering due to bad roads.

Sen. Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, expressed his full support for the project while also urging the Minister to address the Koko-Mahuta-Dabai and Malando-Wara roads.

Mindlog:
"The 7.5 per cent VAT charges on all accounts registered in Nigeria will take effect from July 8th"...Yimu, mine are registered in Kenya and in the UK, selling in Nigeria.

newsheadlines:
Lagos state has witnessed rapid urbanization and a surge in real estate development, accompanied by a growing trend towards paving compound spaces with impermeable materials such as concrete, tiles, and asphalt. While this trend aligns with desires for modernity and ease of maintenance, it also has significant implications for water resources, especially flood in Lagos state, a city that already has a flat topography and many areas at or below sea level.

Aside from the effect of climate change, which is a leading discussion globally, there is need to examine some other causes of localized environmental challenges. Most of the built-up areas in the state are by nature, green vegetation. This vegetation helps in reducing flooding from rainfall through several mechanisms that include interception, absorption, retention and delay of surface runoff, and reducing flood peaks downstream.

Now that the whole vegetation covers that ensures the stability of the water cycle system is gone, and replaced with structures that prevent seamless percolation of rainwater through the soil layers, experiencing flooding in the city should not come as a surprise.

The shift from natural ground cover to concrete or asphalt surfaces and rooftops prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the soil. Instead of being absorbed, rainwater runs off these surfaces quickly, often into nearby drainage systems or canals. In Lagos, where drainage infrastructure is often inadequate or poorly maintained, this increased surface runoff contributing significantly to urban flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Not only that, the surfacing of house compounds with impermeable materials reduces the amount of water that can naturally recharge groundwater reservoirs, which a larger percentage of the citizen rely on for their water supply. Traditionally, rainwater would percolate through the soil, replenishing aquifers and maintaining a balance in the local water table. However, with more surfaces sealed off from absorption, less water infiltrates into the ground, which soon could lead to the issues of water scarcity.

The impact of these changes is particularly acute in low-lying areas and neighborhoods situated near natural water bodies or drainage channels. During the rainy season, the rapid runoff from impervious surfaces overwhelms existing drainage systems, leading to localized flooding that disrupts daily life, damages property, and poses risks to public health and safety.

Mitigation

Addressing the issue of flood in Lagos state exuberated by paved flooring and other impervious surfaces requires several approaches. Urban planning and development regulations can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable building practices that prioritize permeable materials for driveways, walkways, and other ground surfaces. Techniques such as permeable paving, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems, and retention ponds can also help mitigate the adverse effects of surface runoff by allowing for greater infiltration and storage of rainwater that will reduce flooding and improve groundwater recharge.

While the government has its own role, we as citizens, beyond our complaints and call to government officials, should not jettison our own through our action and inactions. We should endeavor to check some of the consequences of our desires in building houses and commit ourselves towards steps that will mitigate our suffering, especially as it regards flooding and avert environmental disaster.

Temitope Oluwabiyi, a Water Resources Manager and IT personnel writes from Lagos


https://www.newsheadlines.com.ng/latest-nigeria-news-today/2024/07/03/paved-compound-flooring-and-flood-in-lagos-state/


https://www.newsheadlines.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Paved-Compound-Flooring-and-Flood-in-Lagos-state.jpg

Exousiang01:
CIS in Lekki has become a nightmare.
My kids attended school only monday, tuesday and friday last week. The school just sent a notification on their app saying SUVs have to use the main gate and saloon/sedans go through the Amore road entrance.
Unfortunately the flood is more as a result of climate change and Lagos is sitting on the coast.
Its only going to get worse

babasolution:
Nigeria needs just enough university trained professionals in some specific fields.

At it is today Nigeria as too many university graduates with barely any companies to absorb them.This causes low renumeration because there's an oversupply.

Nigeria needs to organise it's Agriculture and encourage it's youth to go into farming,not just food crop farming but cash crop farming,they should become expert farmers.

Mining sector should also be organised by government, with lots of youths going into that sector.

Lastly, manufacturing of basic goods and raw materials should be organised by government

Others should learn other expert technical skills,especially in construction.

The rest should go into trade of common commodities like the igbos.

That is the way out from Nigerias crises,

Despite the massive number of university graduates in Nigeria, there hardly any sector working in Nigeria. That simply means that is not the way to go.

University,poly,colleges of education etc should be capped and discouraged.

Plus control of birth rates.

Agriculture, mining and manufacture of basic goods, trade and control of birth rates is the only way out for Nigeria

DMerciful01:
Both're bad but...tribalism can be manageable ...if ya dout ask GEORGE FLOYD.