Rep Dasuki Raises Alarm Over Idle ₦1bn Automotive Projects in Sokoto, Demands Immediate Action

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, has sounded the alarm over the failure to operationalise key automotive development projects in Sokoto State, despite the huge public funds committed to them.

Dasuki, who represents Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency, moved a motion on the floor of the House yesterday, drawing attention to the urgent need to complete and put into use the National Automotive Development Projects located in Bodinga and Dogondaji.

He specifically highlighted the Bodinga Automotive Service Hub, which was completed, fully equipped, and handed over to the government in 2023 at a cost of over one billion naira but has remained non-operational since its completion. He described the situation as a waste of critical infrastructure that could otherwise contribute to economic growth and job creation.

“Abandonment of this critical national asset undermines the objective and policy of industrialization, youth empowerment and economic diversification of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan, also denies the citizens access to economic opportunities and constitutes a waste of public funds” he said.

Making a case further for his constituency, the lawmaker also expressed concern over the abandonment of the Dogondaji Youth Training Centre, a project designed to equip young people with practical automotive and technical skills.

According to him, leaving such a facility uncompleted deprives youths of opportunities for empowerment and self-reliance.

“The non utilisation of this project may deteriorate the infrastructure thereby resulting in loss of economic value and erode public confidence in government initiatives” he pointed.

Dasuki stressed that the continued neglect of these projects undermines national efforts to address unemployment and develop local capacity in the automotive sector.

He urged relevant authorities to take immediate steps to complete the Dogondaji training centre and fully activate the Bodinga service hub.

He further emphasised that public funds must deliver real value to citizens, noting that infrastructure investments should translate into tangible benefits such as employment, skills acquisition, and economic development.

The motion which also called on the House to mandate the Committee on Commerce to visit and inspect the projects, is expected to prompt swift intervention from the appropriate government agencies to ensure that the projects are revived and put to productive use.