The Senate has called on the federal government to incorporate the north-east geopolitical region into its ‘Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects’.
This resolution was prompted by a motion sponsored by Danjuma Goje, the senator representing Gombe Central.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the national construction and household support programme. This initiative prioritizes the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry highway, which will traverse the states of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos.
In his motion presented on Wednesday, Senator Goje, a former governor of Gombe State, highlighted the exclusion of the north-east from the roadmap of the ‘Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects’ as shown in a map released by the federal ministry of works.
Goje stated, “The legacy projects, as shown on the map designed by the federal ministry of works, excluded the north-east geopolitical zone from the whole equation. This has stimulated unprecedented concerns and agitations from the region in view of the strategic roles these projects will play in this country. Hence the need to include the north-east in the projects.”
The exclusion of the north-east, which comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states, has raised significant concerns about unequal development and the potential marginalisation of the region. Senator Goje emphasized that this exclusion could worsen the infrastructural challenges faced by the north-east.
He added, “The security situation of the region has been further exacerbated due to lack of adequate road infrastructure networks that make it susceptible to all manner of security challenges, ranging from insurgency, banditry, among others.”
After the motion was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, it was adopted by the Senate. This decision underscores the legislative body’s recognition of the need for balanced regional development and the importance of addressing the infrastructural and security challenges in the north-east.
The Senate’s call to include the north-east in the ‘Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects’ is a crucial step towards ensuring equitable development across all regions of Nigeria. This inclusion is expected to address the region’s infrastructural deficits and enhance security by improving road networks, thereby fostering economic growth and stability in the north-east.
