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The Minister of Power, Work and Housing in Nigeria, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has lauded the present administration for the allocation of about 266 billion Naira (about $790 million) to the ministry.
He said the decision showed that the administration understood the importance of good road to economic development of every nation.
Addressing the 22nd meeting of the National Council on Works in Katsina State, Mr Fashola faulted the immediate past administration for failing to maintain, rehabilitate and construct new accessible road networks.
The Minister said the past administration failed to prioritise the Nigerian road system, pointing out that in 2015 budget, 18 billion Naira was earmarked for road constructions as against two trillion Naira commitment made by the Federal Ministry of Works.
“Good and accessible road is a critical factor to the development of any country.
“Good and accessible roads do not only make traveling safer; it is an important determinant between farmers and consumers,” Mr Fashola highlighted
The Minister further stressed that for Nigeria to move forward in terms of quality and accessible roads the state controllers would be held responsible for all federal roads under them.
On his part, the Governor of Katsina State Aminu Bello Masari, told the gathering that there was the need to empower the road safety corps so as to tackle the problem of unqualified drivers and unregistered vehicles plying the roads.
The 22nd council meeting made recommendations from the meeting that would boost road development and help reflate the nation’s economy that is in recession.
In its drive to reflate the economy, the government is looking to give more attention to agriculture which was the mainstay of the nation’s economy before the discovery of crude oil.
A good road network will aid movement of farm produce from one part of the nation to another, as the government pushes for more patronage of made in Nigeria goods.
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