By James Isaac, Abuja
The Senate has called on the Federal Government to include the North East in its Super Highway projects, following concerns over the region’s exclusion from the N4.2 trillion road infrastructure initiative.
The motion, moved by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central), highlighted the disparity in road allocations, noting that while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and other major projects received significant funding, only N19 billion was allocated to the North East for two road rehabilitations:
Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road (Adamawa State) – N11.81 billion
Lamido Road (Taraba State) – N7.68 billion
Senator Goje expressed concern over the neglect of several critical roads in the region, including Bauchi-Gombe, Biu-Gombe, Potiskum-Gombe, Yola-Mubi, and Biu-Maiduguri roads, among others, which are in deplorable condition.
He emphasized that the North East is the only region not connected to the Super Highway Project and urged the government to address this imbalance.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for initiating large-scale road projects to enhance national connectivity and economic growth, the Senate amended Goje’s proposal to call for the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads nationwide, rather than limiting it to the North East.
During the debate, several senators supported the motion, citing poor road infrastructure in their constituencies.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the nationwide road crisis and stressed the need for a sustainable road maintenance strategy. He noted that if previous administrations had taken similar bold steps, Nigeria’s road infrastructure would not be in its current dire state.
The Senate’s resolution reflected growing concerns over infrastructure inequality and the urgent need for balanced national development.
