Vice President Kashim Shettima has said road infrastructure is critical to unlocking jobs, connecting markets and promoting economic development across Nigeria.
Shettima stated this on Thursday while inaugurating the Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Akpabu-Ikiri-Omoku Dual Carriageway in Rivers State on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
The 33.5-kilometre road traverses Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State and connects communities along an important agricultural, commercial and oil and gas corridor leading to Omoku, popularly known as the state’s “Gas City.”
The Vice President said the Tinubu administration was deliberately spreading infrastructure and economic opportunities beyond major cities to reduce congestion, expand jobs and promote balanced national development.
“A nation becomes congested when opportunity is congested. People move because roads, markets, jobs and services have not moved far enough towards them,” Shettima said.
He described roads as “among the most democratic instruments of development,” noting that they connect farmers to markets, workers to jobs, students to schools and patients to healthcare.
“Roads connect farmers to markets, workers to jobs, students to schools and patients to healthcare,” he said.
Shettima said the infrastructure drive was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to expanding security, welfare and economic opportunities across the country.
“This is about ensuring that opportunity is not concentrated in the centre, but reaches communities where Nigerians live, work and produce,” he said.
He added that improved road connectivity would facilitate the movement of people and goods while creating new opportunities for businesses and residents.
According to him, “When we connect communities, we connect people to opportunity, and when we connect opportunity, we create the foundation for sustainable economic growth.”
The Vice President said the government would continue to support projects that promote inclusive growth and ensure that economic opportunities were not concentrated in major urban centres.