For the umpteenth time, the federal government insisted the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fair to all sections of the country in allocation of projects and appointments.
It also said from verifiable data, the actual distribution of projects shows the Northwest as the biggest beneficiary.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris made the government’s position known in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists Sunday in Abuja.
“We find it expedient to make it abundantly clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has been guided, at all times, by the principles of fairness, justice, and equity in the distribution of federal government projects, appointments, and opportunities across all six geopolitical zones of our country,” he said.
Idris said contrary to the perception being pushed in some quarters, the Tinubu administration demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced development and inclusivity since assuming office.
According to Idris, the distribution of capital projects under the administration is equitable, fair and just.
He said: “No region is playing a second fiddle or ignored. In addition to projects by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, all six regions now have Regional Development Commissions to re-kick start 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.”
On capital projects, he said major infrastructural interventions were 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, respectively.
“The metro line 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 the 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,” the minister said.
While saying the Northwest was the biggest beneficiary in a breakdown, he said the region got N5.97 trillion with over 40% of approvals.
South-South got N2.41 trillion, North-Central got N1.13 trillion, South-East got N407 billion North-East ₦400 billion and South-West excluding Lagos, got N604 billion.
On legacy road projects under President Tinubu, the minister said the North accounts for 52% and the South for 48% of the total length of the projects.
He said: “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.”
Idris said other major projects in the North being executed by the current administration are; “Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria Road (275 km dualised, N824bn). Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road (350 km dualised, N764bn). 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).”
Others, according to him, are “Damaturu–Maiduguri Road (110 km), Malando Road in Kebbi (76 km), Benue–9th Mile Road (250 km dualised, $958m), Lokoja–Okene Dualisation (86 km) and Kaduna–Katsina Roads (Sections 1 and 2, N150bn).”
He said major projects in the south are Lagos–Ibadan (8.5 km, N33bn), Lagos–Sagamu (12 km dualised), Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin (N146bn), Rehabilitation of Carter, Third Mainland, and Eko Bridges (N120bn).
In the South East, the minister listed the major projects as “Enugu–Onitsha Road (107 km, N202bn via MTN Tax Credit, Enugu–Onitsha Road (72 km, N150bn via CBC), Enugu–Abakaliki Road (36 km), 2nd Niger Bridge Access Road (17.5 km dualised, N175bn), Lokpanta–Enugu Road (61 km dualised, N100bn).
“In the South-South, the major projects are Eleme–Onne Road (30 km, N156bn), Eket Bypass (9.7 km dualised, N76bn), East–West Road Section 2 (N186bn), Nembe–Brass Road (N150bn), Lokoja–Benin Dualisation (N167bn), 2nd Niger Bridge Access Road in Delta (17 km dualised, ₦146bn) and Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers (35 km with 12 bridges, N200bn).”
…Others
Idris said beyond roads and rail, “the administration also 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.
He also said the Kano-Maradi rail line, inherited at 5% has received huge funding support from the government making it attain 67% within 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.”
He further said that inclusivity lies at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the establishment of five new Regional Development Commissions and the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development further illustrate the President’s determination to address Nigeria’s unique developmental needs in a manner that benefits all sections of the country.
He said Tinubu has not only kept faith with Nigerians but has proven himself 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 be rest assured that under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind,” the statement added.