The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed accusations of bias towards the southern region in allocating road development projects. The claims made by Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of neglecting the North in favour of the South in its infrastructural initiatives. The ministry issued a comprehensive statement and a strong denial, declaring that the allegations were baseless and lacking evidence. Mohammed Ahmed, the Director of Press and Public Relations, conveyed that under David Umahi’s leadership, the Federal Ministry of Works has consistently maintained integrity and fairness while carrying out its Infrastructure projects involving roads and bridges across the country.
Ahmed states that the initiatives cover all six geopolitical zones of the country and utilise various funding sources, such as budget allocations, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, SUKUK financing, and the Road Tax Credit Scheme. The Ministry released details regarding infrastructure developments as part of its Renewed Hope Legacy program, noting that 52% of the active 2,735 kilometres of Construction initiatives are in the northern region, with the other 48% in the southern area. Moreover, out of the 82 projects supported by SUKUK, the northern region has 45 projects, whereas the southern region has 37.
Information on the several ongoing road projects across the country.
Furthermore, the Ministry emphasised the allocation of urgent construction initiatives, noting that there are 108 underway in the North and 98 in the South. Among the 44 construction projects supported by the Road Tax Credit Scheme, 23 are in the North, while 21 are in the South. To further dismiss allegations of bias, the ministry pointed to several key projects recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), emphasising that they are evenly distributed across the country. These include the construction of a 258-kilometer three-lane carriageway in Kebbi and Sokoto states and the 1,000-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
Other notable projects include the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Construction in Rivers State, the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, and the repair of vital infrastructure, such as the Gamboru Bridge in Borno State and the loops and ramps of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. The Ministry emphasised its dedication to construction initiatives in the North, including the 43.65-kilometer Mararaba-Keffi highway and the Lafia Bypass in Nasarawa State. Also, the government’s balanced approach to infrastructure development evidenced the dualisation of the 9th Mile-Otukpo-Makurdi way, which covers Nasarawa, Benue, and Enugu states.
Govt reaffirms commitment to fairness and justice in road initiatives.
Moreover, initiatives have been undertaken to restore other essential ways, such as the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja route and the dual carriageways of Kano-Maiduguri, alongside the single-carriageways of Kaduna-Jos, Adamawa-Taraba, and Adamawa-Borno. The ministry’s announcement underscored David Umahi’s active approach to leadership in securing these initiatives’ effective and prompt completion. Umahi has taken the initiative to visit many project locations and established a robust system for monitoring and oversight, ensuring that the work advances and meets high standards. The ministry reiterated its dedication to equity, justice, and fairness in planning and executing infrastructure initiatives.
It emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda prioritises inclusivity and fair progress across all areas. Ahmed emphasised that the ministry’s allocation of initiatives embodies this approach, asserting that Garko’s claims as a political figure and artist are baseless and aim to deceive the public. In response to these claims, the ministry emphasised its continuous work to ease travel for citizens nationwide. An example of this initiative includes restoring overlooked areas of the Lagos-Sango-Ota-Abeokuta route.
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Umahi has launched the Operation Free Our Roads initiative to tackle significant route challenges, partnering with concessionaires to help. The Ministry of Works statement urged citizens to dismiss the allegations, characterising them as an unwarranted assault on David Umahi’s character. They emphasised that these claims had no factual support and aimed to discredit the administration’s positive efforts for political advantages. However, the ministry reiterated its steadfast commitment to promoting national cohesion and advancement by employing active infrastructure initiatives, assuring that every area would consistently benefit from adequate federal support.