Umahi Debunks Kwankwaso’s Claims of Northern Marginalization in Road Projects

Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. Dave Umahi, has strongly refuted allegations made by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is marginalizing the North in road infrastructure development. Umahi labeled Kwankwaso’s statement as “absolutely false, misleading, and self-serving,” asserting that President Tinubu is committed to developing all parts of the country with fairness and equity.

In a detailed response, Umahi provided a breakdown of ongoing road projects across Nigeria, emphasizing that the North has received a significant share of the administration’s focus, particularly in legacy projects. He accused Kwankwaso of attempting to deceive Nigerians and gain political favor through divisive rhetoric.

“I consider this statement as grave misleading information made intentionally to deceive our brothers and sisters in the North and to pretend that he loves the North more than any other leader from the North,” Umahi stated, suggesting that Kwankwaso’s remarks stem from desperation to inherit the legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fact-Checking the Claims: Umahi’s Evidence
Umahi highlighted four key legacy projects initiated by the Tinubu administration:

1.Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (750 km): Currently, 175 km (equivalent to 350 km by 3 lanes) are under construction in the Southern states of Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

2.Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway (1068 km): A substantial 378 km (equivalent to 756 km by 3 lanes) is ongoing in the Northern states of Kebbi and Sokoto.

3.Trans-Sahara Road (Cross River – Ebonyi – Benue – Kogi – Nasarawa – Abuja, 465 km): 118 km (equivalent to 59 km by 6 lanes) is currently under construction in Ebonyi State in the South.

4.Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe Road (439 km): This project is undergoing redesign from flexible to rigid pavement for enhanced durability, a directive from the President.

Umahi emphasized that within these four legacy projects, the North accounts for 52% of the total length, while the South accounts for 48%. Furthermore, among the currently ongoing sections, the South has 409 km (by 3 lanes) compared to the North’s 756 km (by 3 lanes). He questioned why the focus often remains solely on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway when other significant projects are underway in the North.

Major Ongoing Projects Across Zones
The Minister further listed numerous other major ongoing projects, demonstrating a widespread commitment to infrastructure development across all geopolitical zones:
In the North, projects include:

1.Sokoto – Zamfara – Katsina – Kaduna road (275 km dualized, ₦824 Billion).

2.Abuja – Kaduna – Kano road (350 km dualized, ₦764 Billion).

3.BUA Tax Credit road (Jigawa, Katsina, Kano States, 256 km dualized).

4.Zaria – Hunkuyi road (156 km).

5.Kano Northern Bypass (49 km).

6.Kano – Jigawa road (100.9 km dualized).

7.Bama and Dikwa roads (100 km) by Dangote Tax Credit in Borno State.

8.Borno Ring Road (110 km).

9.Malando road in Kebbi State (76 km).

10.Benue to 9th Mile road (250 km dualized, $958 Million).

11.Lokoja – Okene (86 km dualized).

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12.Sections 1 and 2 of Kaduna to Katsina roads (₦150 Billion).
In the South, significant projects include:

13.Completion of Lagos – Ibadan (8.5 km, ₦33 Billion).

14.Completion of Lagos to Sagamu (12 km dualized).

15.Completion of Oyo – Ogbomoso to Ilorin Road (₦146 Billion).

16.Repairs of Carter, Third Mainland, and Eko bridges (₦120 Billion).

South East:

1.Completion of Enugu – Onitsha road (107 km, ₦202 Billion and 72 km, ₦150 Billion).

2.Enugu – Abakaliki 36 km road.

3.2nd Niger Bridge access road in Anambra State (17.5 km dualized, ₦175 Billion).

4.Completion of 61 km dualized Lokpanta (Imo State) to Enugu State road (₦100 Billion).

South-South:

1.Completion of Eleme – Onne road (30 km, ₦156 Billion).

2.Eket bypass road (9.7 km dualized, ₦76 Billion).

3.Completion of East West Road section 2 (₦186 Billion).

4.Nembe Brass road (₦150 Billion).

5.Completion of Lokoja to Benin road (₦167 Billion).

6.2nd Niger Bridge access road in Delta (17 km dualized, ₦146 Billion).

7.Completion of Bodo Bonny Road (35 km, ₦200 Billion).

Inherited Projects and Future Disclosures
Umahi revealed that 80% of the currently ongoing projects were inherited from the previous administration but were effectively unfunded until President Tinubu took office. He lauded the President’s commitment to continuing and funding these projects, stating that abandoning them would have led to further complaints.

The Minister acknowledged pressure from stakeholders in the South-West regarding abandoned major roads like Ibadan – Oyo, Ibadan – Ife – Ilesa, Ilesa – Akure – Benin, and Ore – Sagamu. He expressed his appeals to the President for funds to address these critical projects, highlighting their importance to the nation’s economic corridors.

Umahi also pointed out that in the ongoing NNPCL Tax Credit roads and bridges, the North accounts for 53% and the South for 47% of inherited projects, with the South East at only 4% and the South West at 5%. He noted that the President has continued to fund these projects without complaint despite the inherited distribution.

A Call for Apology and Unity
Senator Umahi concluded by calling on Senator Kwankwaso to issue an apology to President Tinubu and withdraw his misleading statement, urging him to prioritize national unity over political gain. He pledged to publish a comprehensive list of all inherited and new projects, both completed and ongoing, in the coming week to provide full transparency to Nigerians.

“I can say with all sense of responsibility that President Tinubu is a fair President. He has favoured the North in road development more than the South, especially North West, where Sen. Kwankwaso comes from,” Umahi asserted, emphasizing the President’s commitment to fairness, equity, and the fear of God in developing every part of the country.