•Says north has 52%, South 48%

By John Alechenu

ABUJA—The Federal Ministry of Works has denied allegations that it’s current distribution of road projects was skewed against the north.

It said the disclaimer became necessary in the light of “a misleading and mischievous” publication by one Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, who, without recourse to facts, figures or records, decided to blindly alleged that the northern region was being neglected.

In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, in Abuja, yesterday, the ministry said road projects being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda were being done transparently.

Ahmed said: “For the records, the Federal Ministry of Works has continued to work diligently, transparently, and fairly in implementing the distribution of the ongoing road and bridge infrastructure interventions, nationwide.

“This applies to both the projects funded through budgetary provisions and other funding models such as the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, SUKUK, Tax Credit Scheme in financing the Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects, inherited ongoing projects and the emergency intervention ones.

“Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has commendably and unprecedentedly stepped up project monitoring and supervision mechanisms on these projects spread across the six (6) geo-political zones, and Nigerians can attest to the fact that every zone has its fair share in the distribution of the ongoing projects.

“Facts and figures show that out of a total of 2,735km of the legacy projects initiated by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the north has a cumulative total of 1,414km, while the south has 1,321km, amounting to a percentage ratio of 52:48 respectively.

“Furthermore, out of eighty-two (82) Sukuk-funded ongoing projects, the north has forty-five (45), while the south has 37 projects. Of the 260 emergency projects, 98 are being executed in the south, while 108 are in the South.

‘’Additionally, of the 44 road projects executed under the road tax credit scheme, 23 are domiciled in the north, while 21 are in the south.

“To further illustrate the sense of fairness in the treatment of all parts of Nigeria by the Renewed Hope administration, at the last Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting of 23 September 23, 2024, it approved the construction of 258 km 3-lane carriageway, using continuously reinforced concrete pavement in Kebbi and Sokoto states – part of the 1,000km Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway, completion of the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State, the rescoping and downward review of the contract to rehabilitate the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway.

“The construction of Cross River to Oferekpe road and the rehabilitation of Kabba (Kogi State) – Iyamoye-Omuo-Ikole-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti (Ekiti State) road, the repair of the Gamboru Bridge along Gamboru-Ngala-Kala Balde road in Borno State, the repair of the damaged loops and ramps of the Third Mainland Bridge superstructure, the rehabilitation of Adeniji-Falomo roads, the construction of service lanes for the Lekki Deep Sea Port through Epe to Shagamu-Benin expressway, the dualisation of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road in Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states, and the repair of 14 bridges, roads, and flooded sections of federal highways nationwide.

‘’The distribution of the aforementioned approved projects shows, as always, that fairness is a fundamental principle in the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President.”

The ministry said it achieved a considerable milestone in the execution of critical projects in the north, such as the construction and expansion of Mararaba – Keffi road (43.65km), the construction of Lafia Bypass both in Nasarawa State and the Dualisation of 9th Mile (Enugu State) –Otukpo – Makurdi road project (phase ii) in Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu State, the rehabilitation of Abuja – Abaji – Lokoja Road, Abuja – Lokoja Road, Kano – Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, Adamawa – Taraba Single Carriageway, Adamawa – Borno Single Carriageway, Kaduna-Jos Single Carriageway, Zaria-Funtua – Gusau -Sokoto Dual Carriageway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.

According to the statement, the minister has not only visited these projects but also set up a supervision mechanism to ensure quality and speed in the execution of the projects.

Ahmed stated further: “The ministry is, undoubtedly, committed to applying the tenets of fairness, justice, equity, and good conscience in the distribution and execution of road infrastructure projects.
“The minister has proven stewardship of passion, professionalism, inclusiveness and an abiding devotion to nation-building. It is only persons of narrow minds or with cheap and ulterior motives that can be so petty as to engage in such unprovoked and mischievous misrepresentation of facts as contained in the said publication credited to Jadda Garko, described as a singer and politician. “

He enjoined members of the public to discontenance the allegations in the said publication, noting that it was baseless, unfounded, mendacious and calculated to impugn the integrity of the minister.