•Mohammed Idris
The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has been fair to the six geo-political zones in the distribution of federal government projects, appointments and opportunities, Minister of Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, said yesterday.
He rose in defence of the government, following insinuations of lopsidedness in projects locations, reports The Nation.
In a statement, he listed the projects and their value in each of the six geo-political zones.
From the data by the minister, Northwest is the biggest beneficiary, with projects worth N5.97 trillion (over 40 per cent of approvals given by the government since Tinubu took over power in 2023).
Others are: Southsouth (N2.41 trillion); Northcentral (N1.13 trillion); Southeast (N407 billion); Northeast (N400 billion) and Southwest (N604 billion) – excluding Lagos.
Insisting the administration has demonstrated commitment to balanced development and inclusivity since assuming office, Idris said: “In the light of recent insinuations, half-truths and fake information being circulated, we find it expedient to make it clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has been guided, at all times, by principles of fairness, justice, and equity in the distribution of Federal Government projects, appointments, and opportunities in the six geopolitical zones of our country.
“The distribution of capital projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is equitable. No region is playing a second fiddle or ignored. In addition to projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, all six regions have Regional Development Commissions to re-kickstart development efforts.
“While the Coastal Highway courses through the South, the Badagry – Sokoto Highway, under construction, traverses majorly the North. This sense of balance runs through all the major infrastructure projects being implemented today.”
“Major infrastructural interventions are simultaneously ongoing across the federation – from highways and bridges to rail and power projects. The administration has secured funding for light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna states to the tune of N150 billion and N100 billion.
“The metroline projects in Lagos and Ogun states form part of the government’s effort to develop Nigeria’s light rail infrastructure. Collectively, these projects are expected to create over 250,000 jobs nationwide.
There is also a renewed push for rehabilitation of the Eastern corridor of the rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. In addition, over 1,000 primary health care centres have been rehabilitated across the country, underscoring the administration’s commitment to human capital and social infrastructure.”
Legacy road projects
The minister listed the following as legacy road projects initiated by Tinubu. They are:
• Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway (750 km): 175 km ongoing in Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states
• Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway (1,068 km): 378 km ongoing in Kebbi and Sokoto sections
• Trans-Sahara Highway (465 km): 118 km ongoing in Ebonyi State
•Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road (439 km): Being redesigned from flexible to rigid pavement for durability.
“Of the total length of these projects, the North accounts for 52 per cent and the South for 48 per cent”, Idris explained.
Other major projects in the North
•Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria Road (275 km dualised, N824 billion).
•Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road (350 km dualised, N764b).
•BUA Tax Credit Road in Jigawa, Katsina, Kano (256 km dualised).
•Zaria – Hunkuyi Road (156 km).
•Kano Northern Bypass (49 km).
•Kano – Maiduguri Road (100.9 km).
•Bama and Dikwa Roads in Borno (100 km).
•Damaturu – Maiduguri Road (110 km).
•Malando Road in Kebbi (76 km).
•Benue – 9th Mile Road (250 km dualised, $958m).
•Lokoja – Okene Dualisation (86 km).
•Kaduna – Katsina Roads (sections 1 and 2, N150 billion).
Major projects in the Southwest
•Lagos–Ibadan (8.5 km, N33 billion).
•Lagos–Sagamu (12 km dualised).
•Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin (N146 billion).
•Rehabilitation of Carter, Third Mainland, and Eko Bridges (N120 billion
Southeast
•Enugu–Onitsha Road (107 km, N202 billion via MTN Tax Credit).
•Enugu–Onitsha Road (72 km, N150 billion via CBC).
•Enugu–Abakaliki Road (36 km).
•2nd Niger Bridge Access Road (17.5 km dualised, N175 billion).
•Lokpanta–Enugu Road (61 km dualised, N100 billion).
Southsouth
•Eleme–Onne Road (30 km, N156 billion).
•Eket Bypass (9.7 km dualised, N76 billion).
•East – West Road Section 2 (N186 billion).
•Nembe – Brass Road (N150 billion).
•Lokoja – Benin Dualisation (N167 billion).
•2nd Niger Bridge Access Road in Delta (17 km dualised, N146 billion).
•Bodo – Bonny Road in Rivers (35 km with 12 bridges, N200 billion).
The minister, who listed other sectors where the administration has made impact, noted: “Beyond roads and rail, this administration has revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, advanced the AKK Gas Project, and expanded oil and gas exploration in the North with the drilling of three oil wells in the Kolmani region of Bauchi and Gombe States. Kano-Maradi rail line, inherited at five per cent, has received huge funding support from the government making it attain 67 per cent in a short time.
“President Tinubu is building national infrastructure, not local trophies. Lagos is rightly upgraded as Nigeria’s commercial hub, but the Northwest holds the lion’s share of approvals. This proves that all regions are receiving fair consideration.
“Equity is also evident in federal appointments. President Tinubu has appointed capable Nigerians from every part of the country, guided by competence and inclusivity rather than sectional considerations.
“Inclusivity lies at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The establishment of five new Regional Development Commissions and creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development further illustrate the President’s determination to address Nigeria’s developmental needs in a manner that benefits all sections of the country.
“On the whole, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not only kept faith with Nigerians but has proved to be a fair, pragmatic, and consequential reformer. His leadership is inclusive, his vision is unifying, and his commitment to equity and justice is unwavering. Nigerians can rest assured that, under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind.”
