President Bola Tinubu is a known nationalist. The Jagaban of Borgu has never hidden his love for Nigeria. He sees the entire country as his constituency. I was not surprised that he emerged victorious in the presidential election held on February 25, 2023 , having spent many years of his political career building bridges across the country.
Since his inauguration for his first term on May 29, 2023, the President has demonstrated his political sagacity, fairness and equity in the distribution of appointments and the citing of projects. That’s why I was surprised when one Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, made a ridiculous and unsubstantiated allegation that the distribution of roadprojects by the administration of PresidentTinubu was skewed against the North. In journalism, we often say that facts are sacred, while comments are free. I choose to be a slave to facts rather than being generous with foolish opinions.
Everybody has the inalienable right to hold an opinion. But in exercising that right, you must ensure that your opinions are based on facts. Any opinion not based on verifiable facts is falsehood, no matter how you look at it.
Based on this premise, it is safe to say that the facts on ground do not support the claim of Jadda Garko.
President Bola Tinubu has absolutely been fair in thedistribution of roadprojects across the country. Even regions that didn’t give him much votes are receiving their fair share of projects and appointments.
The northern region is dear to the heart of Mr President. Considering the results of the 2023 presidential election, he wouldn’t have won the election without support from the North. He is very much aware of this.
For the records, the current administration through the Federal Ministry of Works, in line with the vision of Mr President, has continued to work diligently, transparently, and fairly in implementing thedistribution 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.
These projects spread across the six geo-political zones, and Nigerians can attest to the fact that every zone has its fair share in the distribution of the ongoing projects.
Out of a total of two thousand, seven hundred and thirty five kilometers (2,735km) of the Legacy Projects initiated by the administration of PresidentTinubu, (The Asiwaju of Africa), the North has a cumulative total of one thousand, four hundred and fourteen kilometers (1,414km), while the South has one thousand, three hundred and twenty one kilometers (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 thirty seven (37) projects. Of the two hundred and sixty (260) emergency projects, ninety eight (98) are being executed in the South, while one hundred and eight (108) are in the north.
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Additionally, out of the forty four (44) roadprojects executed under the Road Tax Credit Scheme, twenty three (23) are domiciled in the North, while twenty one (21) are in the South.
To further demonstrate the sense of fairness to all the six geo- political zones, under the Renewed Hope administration, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on 23rd September, 2024, approved the construction of two hundred and fifty eight kilometers (258 km) 3-lane carriageway using continuously reinforced concrete pavement in Kebbi and Sokoto States, which is part of the one thousand (1,000km) Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway, completion of the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State, and the rescoping and downward review of the contract to rehabilitate the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway..
The meeting also approved the construction of the 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 current administration has 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 roadproject (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.
The one thousand (1,000) kilometer Sokoto – Badagry Super Highway when completed will have trading and other commercial activities both in the north and southern regions. One hundred and twenty kilometers (120km) will pass through Sokoto and two hundred and fifty eight kilometers will extend through Kebhi state, extending to Illela border town with Niger Republic in Sokoto State.
The Sokoto – Badagry corridor boasts of fifty three dams that would be deployed for agriculture and electricity and serves as trade routes with other African countries. The superhighway like the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway, is an investment for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi while featuring on a joint ministerial press briefing on Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary said the Federal Government has decided not to embark on new roadprojects in 2025. Instead, four major projects will be selected for each of the six geo- political zones for execution under the 2025 budget. Tell what this is if it is not fair?
The administration of President Tinubu has done well so far in terms of project execution and distribution. Instead of being vilified by narrow – minded fellows, he needs the support of all Nigerians to deliver his promises to the people, and Nigeria will be better for it.
Owaikhena Osikhekha is a social commentator/ political analyst.
