Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving N37 billion for the ongoing reconstruction of the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road.

Barau described the move as part of a broader, nationwide infrastructure push by the federal government.

Barau, who is senator for Kano North Senatorial District, gave the commendation on the floor of the senate while contributing to a motion sponsored by Kamorudeen Olalere on the rehabilitation of the Ibadan–Ikire–Ife–Ilesha road corridor in the South-west.

Highlighting what he described as the inclusive spread of federal road projects, Barau stated that the Tinubu administration’s interventions cut across all regions, regardless of political affiliation.

He pointed out that the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road project, which was flagged off in June 2021, had received renewed funding impetus with the N37 billion allocation in the current budget, despite prevailing global fiscal constraints.

According to him, the project involves upgrading the existing single-lane, approximately 100-kilometre road into a dual carriageway to improve mobility and enhance the transportation of agricultural produce from rural communities to urban markets across neighbouring states.

Barau also expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on other strategic highways, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road, stating that construction is ongoing “round the clock,” while referencing the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway as another flagship project under implementation.

Yilwatda: Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Will Drive Nigeria Toward $1 Trillion Economy

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor NentaweYilwatda, on Wednesday, said the administration’s economic reforms were deliberately designed to ease the burden on low income earners, stimulate enterprise growth, and position Nigeria on the path to a $1 trillion economy. This was as the federal government’s Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme received a major boost in Jos on Tuesday as over 2,000 young entrepreneurs and market women were presented with financial grants and business starter packs under the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Grant Initiative.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yilwatda stated that the president had “done very well” in supporting young people and small businesses, saying the ongoing tax reforms are structured to ensure that low income earners and small businesses pay less tax, thereby freeing up resources for investment and household welfare.

“All these are done to ensure that the people who are less privileged have more opportunities,” he said, adding that the president’s economic blueprint requires continuity. 

Yilwatda stated, “Mr. President needs a second term to drive his economic policies, support young men like you, support businesses, and build the infrastructure that will give us a one trillion dollar economy.”

Meanwhile, Yilwatda ruled out extension of sale of APC’s nomination forms.

It would be recalled that after the initial hiccups and the failed attempt by the governors of the party to hijack the sale of forms by purchasing them in bulk and subsequently distributing to their cronies, the ruling party commenced the sale of forms on Tuesday in Abuja.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja after inspecting the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms at Abuja Continental Hotel, Yilwatda said the ruling party was one of the most democratic political parties in Nigeria. 

He said, “There is a timeline for activities. If we are doing any extension we will follow the process, we will call the National Working Committee again and the National Working Committee will decide whether there will be extension or not. For now there’s no extension.

“As you can see, people are streaming in buying forms freely, no restriction. Even, somebody has picked a form to contest for the presidency, it shows the level of democracy we have in Nigeria. 

“Sitting governors are having people challenging them, the sitting president is having somebody who is challenging him, the senators have people challenging them.”

He added, “The number of people coming to contest in our party tells us that our party is the most acceptable political party in Nigeria.

“We don’t have any challenge (selling forms). The banks have been doing the needful, our staff are doing the clearance, people are being issued their forms; the department that deals with receipts has been receiving people and there’s no any complaint from our head desk. 

“We have also been tracking social media to see if people are complaining. We have not seen complaints on social media also. When it comes to the quality of service, APC is one of the best in terms of providing quality services to our members.”

 Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade and Yemi Kosoko