By Our Correspondent <\/p>\n
Ireked by the claims of former governor of kano, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that the Northern part of the country is marginalised on road infrastructural development,
\n Minister of Works , Engr. David Umahi has debunked the claims as false saying that Kwankwaso was not telling Nigerians the truth. <\/p>\n
He described the claim attributed to him, as misleading, false and self serving, maintaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s road infrastructure development was not limited to the South but cut across all the regions of the country.<\/p>\n
The minister who reacted to Kwankwaso claim in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday outlined the road contract awards by the Ministry since the inception of the present administration and stated that, the North rather than been marginalized got the lion share of all projects awarded in the country.<\/p>\n
Umahi further said the former Governor was spreading misleading information intentionally to deceive the people in the North and to pretend that he loves the North more than any other leader from the North.<\/p>\n
The minister stated that he personally considered the statement as one made out of desperation and as part of his struggle, along with a few others who believe that they can inherit late President Muhammadu Buhari\u2019s impeccable legacy.<\/p>\n
He then vowed to publish all inherited projects and new projects that are either completed or ongoing under the Renewed Hope Administration in the coming week, saying, \u201cI can say with all sense of responsibility that President Tinubu, GCFR is a fair President. He has favoured the North in road development more than the South, especially the North West, where Sen. Kwankwaso comes from.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement reads: “My attention as the Honourable Minister of Works has been drawn to the unfortunate statement by His Excellency, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is developing more roads in the South than in the North.<\/p>\n
\u201cI consider this statement to be a 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI consider the statement as one made out of desperation and as part of his struggle, along with a few others who believe that they can inherit the impeccable legacy of our dear late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and that the only way available for them towards achieving the same is to be divisive and pretentious.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to be like our late President Buhari cannot be a job of three decades and cannot be done with deceit. I think our younger generation has such a chance and it must be worked for through hard work, honesty, transparency, and commitment to the unity of our country, a legacy that our late President Buhari, GCFR achieved in all his life on earth. May God continue to bless his legacies and give him a peaceful rest, Amen<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the interest of all Nigerians, especially our dear brothers and sisters in the North, I wish to highlight just a few key ongoing projects in each of the six Geo-Political Zones.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe four (4) Legacy Road Projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is 750 km: As of today, a total of 110 km is ongoing within Lagos State and 65 km within Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. The total ongoing is 175 km by 6 lanes or 350 km by 3 lanes in the South.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, which is 1068km: As of today, we have 258 km ongoing at the Kebbi section and 120 km ongoing at the Sokoto section. The total ongoing is 378 km by 6 lanes or 756 km by 3 lanes in the North.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrans Sahara road spanning through Cross River \u2013 Ebonyi \u2013 Benue \u2013 Kogi \u2013 Nasarawa \u2013 Abuja, which is 465km: 118 km by 3 lanes or 59 km by 6 lanes is ongoing in Ebonyi State \u2013 South.<\/p>\n
\u201cAkwanga \u2013 Jos-Bauchi \u2013 Gombe road, which is 439km: Project is being redesigned from flexible pavement to rigid pavement for more durability, as directed by Mr. President, and in conformity with the other legacy projects. Out of the total length of these Projects, the North has 52% and the South 48%.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister added that, \u201cAnd within the ongoing projects, as of today, the South has 409 km by 3lanes and the North has 756km by 3 lanes. The facts are there. I wonder why people don\u2019t talk about other legacy projects of Mr. President but will always dwell on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis road has only 220 km by 3 lanes in Lagos State which is ongoing now, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states have 130km by 3 ongoing lanes, whereas Kebbi state, alone, has 316 km by 3 lanes that is ongoing. Sokoto state has 240 km with 3 lanes that is ongoing. I think Sen. Kwankwaso is not fair to Mr.President and the unity of our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cThe following major projects are also ongoing in the North.
\na) Sokoto \u2013 Gusau \u2013 Funtua \u2013 Zaria road in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states: This is 275 km dualised (750 km), costing about \u20a6824 billion. This project is being handled by CBC, Triacta, Setraco, and Mothercat.<\/p>\n
\u201cProjects are ongoing mostly on reinforced concrete pavement. Despite the insecurity within this corridor, work is ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbuja \u2013 Kaduna \u2013 Kano road: 350 km dualized (700km) project is being constructed on concrete pavement with a total sum of \u20a6764 billion by Infiouest (Nig.) Ltd. with 30% of the contract sum already paid and work is ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBUA Tax Credit road passing through Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano States: 256 km dualized (512 km). The project was redesigned and constructed on rigid pavement.<\/p>\n
\u201c156 km of Zaria \u2013 Hunkuyi road is being constructed by Mothercat (Nig,) Ltd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Kano Northern Bypass: 49 km is being constructed by CCECC.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 100.9 km dualised (201.8 km) Kano \u2013 Jigawa states\u2019 section of the Kano \u2013 Maiduguri road is being constructed by Triacta (Nig.) Limited.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bama and Dikwa roads (49+51=100 km) by Dangote Tax Credit are ongoing in Borno State.<\/p>\n
\u201cSection V of the Kano \u2013 Maiduguri Dualisation, Damaturu \u2013 Maiduguri in Borno and Yobe states: 110 km by 2 lanes is being constructed by CCECC (Nig.) Ltd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 76 km Malando road in Kebbi State is being constructed by Episolyn (Nig.) Ltd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 250 km dualised (500 km) Benue to 9th Mile road costing $958 million by China Harbour is ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Dualisation of Lokoja \u2013 Okene 86km dualised (172km) by CGC is ongoing.
\nl) Sections 1 and 2 of the Kaduna to Katsina roads by CCECC costing about \u20a6150 billion are ongoing.<\/p>\n
According to him, \u201cMajor ongoing projects in the South: \u201cCompletion of Lagos \u2013 Ibadan 8.5 km costing \u20a633 Billion by RCC.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of Lagos to Sagamu 12 km dualised (24 km) and flyovers by CBC.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of Oyo \u2013 Ogbomoso \u2013 Ilorin Road costing \u20a6146 billion by JRB.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepairs of Carter, Third Mainland, and Eko Bridges with a total contract sum of about \u20a6120 billion.<\/p>\n
In the South East, we have: \u201cCompletion of Enugu \u2013 Onitsha road by MTN tax credit which is 107 km costing \u20a6202 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of Enugu \u2013 Onitsha road by CBC, which is 72 km and costing \u20a6150 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201c36-km Enugu \u2013 Abakaliki road with reinforced concrete by Global Resources (Nig.) Limited.<\/p>\n
\u201c2nd Niger Bridge access road in Anambra State, 17.5 km (dualised) with many bridges and flyovers \u2013 \u20a6175Billion by CGC.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of 61km (dualised) of the Lokpanta in Imo state to Enugu state by CGC, costing 100bn.<\/p>\n
In the South \u2013 South:
\n\u201cCompletion of Eleme-Onne road project, which is 30 km with bridges and flyovers, costing \u20a6156 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cConstruction of Eket Bypass, which is 9.7 km, dualised, costing \u20a676 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of East West Road, Section 2 at \u20a6186 Billion by Setraco<\/p>\n
\u201cNembe \u2013 Brass road costing \u20a6150 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of the Dualisation of Lokoja \u2013 Benin road by four contractors costing about \u20a6167 billion<\/p>\n
\u201c2nd Niger Bridge access road in Delta state, which is 17 km, dualised by CCECC, costing \u20a6146 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletion of Bodo Bonny Road in Rivers state: 35 km with 12 bridges by Julius Berger (Nig.) PLC, costing 200 billion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Umahi further stated that, \u201cI have a duty in the coming week to publish all inherited projects and new projects that are either completed or ongoing under the Renewed Hope Administration. I can say with all sense of responsibility that President Tinubu, GCFR is a fair President.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has favoured the North in road development more than the South, especially the North West, where Sen. Kwankwaso comes from.<\/p>\n
\u201cApart from the four legacy projects, 80% of the above-named ongoing projects were projects awarded by the past administration towards the end of that administration in 2023 but never took off effectively, which President Tinubu decided to continue to fund towards completion. If he had abandoned them, the same people would complain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been under pressure from some stakeholders for the construction of their major roads like the abandoned Ibadan \u2013 Oyo by Arab Contractors, Ibadan \u2013 Ile Ife \u2013 Ilesa, Ilesa \u2013 Akure \u2013 Benin, and Ore \u2013 Sagamu roads. I have been badly accused that I am only doing projects in the North, especially the North West.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Third Mainland Bridge is being closed down to heavy trucks because of underwater structural defects. The Carter Bridge is so deformed that it needs to be demolished and reconstructed. These are the real major projects in the South West, which I have been appealing to Mr President to give me money to do because the people of the South West may think that I am doing nothing about the major projects in their zone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese projects are within a major economic corridor between the South and the North that deserve attention. Moreover, these bridges, if allowed to further deteriorate, will lead to serious economic consequences for the nation. Mr President is not only fair in the completion of major inherited\/new projects but they are all within the major economic corridors of our nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will publish all ongoing projects, which are above 20 billion naira each next week. We still have many projects within the six geopolitical zones that are not listed here. In this circumstance, I don\u2019t know where Sen Kwankwaso got his misinformation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unfortunate that the utterances of some of our political leaders are just intended to deceive Nigerians and gain political favour instead of making statements that will unite the country and move it forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will offer more explanation on this topic and am ready to face a debate with anyone just to put the record straight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Umahi recalls that, \u201cLet me state that out of the ongoing inherited NNPCL Tax Credit road and bridge projects, the North has 53%, while the South has 47% out of which the South East has only 4% and the South West has a mere 5%. The records are with NNPCL for verification.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. President did not complain about the unfair distribution of these inherited projects by the past administration but has continued to fund them, as inherited.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo my brother Senator Kwankwaso, you owe our dear President an apology and a duty to withdraw your statement using the information I have provided for the benefit of Nigerians and the unity of the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI request the good people of Nigeria to ignore Senator Kwakwans\u2019s misleading statement and know that President Tinubu is evenly committed to developing every part of this country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God\u201d, he noted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Our Correspondent Ireked by the claims of former governor of kano, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that the Northern part of the country is marginalised on road infrastructural development, Minister of Works , Engr. David Umahi has debunked the claims as false saying that Kwankwaso was not telling Nigerians the truth. He described the claim […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1896,2266,160,1338,1784,3754,942],"class_list":["post-5793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-apology","tag-benefits","tag-development","tag-fairness","tag-inherited","tag-marginalised-infrastructural","tag-projects"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5793"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5794,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5793\/revisions\/5794"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}