Tinubu’s Minister of Works Rejects Claims of Neglecting Northern Nigeria in Road Development Projects

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has rejected accusations regarding an unfair distribution of road projects in Nigeria, asserting that there is no bias against the northern region. CONTINUE READING>>>

In a statement from the Ministry of Works, Umahi firmly denied the claims that northern Nigeria was being overlooked in the allocation and execution of road initiatives.

The ministry emphasized that road and bridge projects are being carried out equitably and transparently across all six geopolitical zones in the country.

The distribution of these projects is managed through various funding sources, such as budget allocations, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, SUKUK financing, and the Tax Credit Scheme.

According to the ministry, out of a total of 2,735 kilometers of road projects launched under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the northern region comprises 1,414 kilometers (52%), while the southern region has 1,321 kilometers (48%).

A detailed breakdown of the projects reveals that among the 82 ongoing SUKUK-funded projects, 45 are in the North and 37 in the South.

In the case of emergency road projects, 260 were initiated, with 108 located in the South and 98 in the North. For road projects funded by the Tax Credit Scheme, there are 23 in the North and 21 in the South.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that recent approvals from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on September 23, 2024, included significant road projects in both northern and southern states. Key approvals include: CONTINUE READING>>>

• A 258 km three-lane carriageway spanning Kebbi and Sokoto States, which is part of the 1,000 km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
• The completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road, featuring bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State.
• The rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway.
• The construction of the Cross River to Oferekpe road and the rehabilitation of the Kabba (Kogi) to Ekiti State road.