BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Government has disclosed that the Renewed Hope projects executed by the Ministry of Works are fairly spread across the six geopolitical zones.
This followed a report by one Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, who alleged that the Northern region was sidelined in the ongoing Renewed Hope Agenda road projects.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Works, Mr Mohammed Ahmed described the report as misleading, mischievous, baseless, unfounded and mendacious.
He noted that the report was published without recourse to facts, figures nor records, saying that the ministry has continued to work diligently, transparently, and fairly in implementing ongoing road and bridge infrastructure interventions nationwide.
Ahmed added: "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.
"The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has commendably and unprecedentedly stepped up project monitoring and supervision mechanisms on 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.
"Facts and figures show that out of a total of 2,735km of the Legacy Projects initiated by President Bola Tinubu-led administration, 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 82 Sukuk-funded ongoing projects, the North has 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, out of the 44 road projects executed under the Road Tax Credit Scheme, 23 are domiciled in the North, while 21 are in the South."
Ahmed stated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had at its meeting of September 23, 2024, approved the construction of 258 km 3-lane carriageway using continuously reinforced concrete pavement in Kebbi and Sokoto States, being part of the 1,000km Sokoto - Badagry Superhighway.
This he said, illustrated the sense of fairness in the treatment of all parts of Nigeria by the renewed hope administration, in addition to completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State.
Also, 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.
Ahmed said: "The ministry embarked on the repair of the Gamboru Bridge along Gamboru-Ngala-Kala Balde road in Borno State, repair of the damaged loops and ramps of the Third Mainland Bridge Superstructure, rehabilitation of Adeniji-Falomo roads, construction of service lanes for the Lekki Deep Sea Port through Epe to Shagamu-Benin Expressway, and dualisation of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe road in Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states, and repair of 14 bridges, roads, and flooded sections of Federal Highways nationwide."
The director noted that the distribution of the approved projects showed that fairness is a fundamental principle in the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.
He pointed out that the ministry has achieved a considerable milestone in the execution of critical projects in the North such as the construction and expansion of 43.65km Mararaba - Keffi road, 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 States.
The ministry also rehabilitated the 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.
Ahmed hinted that Umahi has not only inspected the projects but has also set up a supervision mechanism to ensure quality and speed in the execution of the projects.
He maintained that the ministry is committed to applying the tenets of fairness, justice, equity, and good conscience in the distribution and execution of road projects.
The spokesperson was certain that the minister has proven stewardship of passion, professionalism, inclusiveness and 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," Ahmed said.
He enjoined the public to discontenance the allegations intended to demean Engr Umahi for the personal gains of the sponsors.
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