The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed claims that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is prioritising the South in infrastructure allocation across the country.
While addressing the media during a two-day inspection tour of federal road projects in Rivers and Bayelsa states, Umahi described the claims as “misleading,” saying the North currently holds 52 per cent of legacy projects compared to the South’s 48 per cent.
“Projects like the Sokoto-Badagry Road, Calabar-Abuja Highway, and Akwanga-Jos Road are ongoing in the North. When you measure by mileage and cost, the distribution is balanced,” Umahi said.
Umahi, who gave the assurance while speaking at the Bonny-Bodo project site, commended the construction firm, Julius Berger, for the pace and quality of work.
He confirmed that 5.3 kilometers of concrete pavement had already been completed and directed that stone base and asphalt be applied on the section to prepare it for the commissioning ceremony.
Umahi said the pavement was tested and confirmed durable enough to support a presidential helicopter landing.
“All work must stay within the existing ₦200 billion contract sum — no adjustments will be approved,” he stated.
He added that the Federal Government plans to expand the road into a dual carriageway and install solar-powered streetlights, with the potential for an operate-maintain model to ensure sustainability.
Project engineers said the road was 85 per cent complete, with the remaining section awaiting ground settlement.
Julius Berger officials projected that major construction work would end by September, with finishing work by October.
The Bonny-Bodo Road features nine mini-bridges and three major bridges and is currently open to limited traffic.
Umahi also inspected sections of the East-West Road in Eleme and Ahoada (Rivers State), as well as Zarama in Bayelsa, where portions damaged by the 2023 flood were undergoing reconstruction.
In Bayelsa, he said the contractor, ROC Result, has completed 60 per cent of the repair work and opened one carriageway to traffic.
He also visited one of three collapsed bridges between Rivers and Delta states, awarded to SETRACO under a 2023 supplementary appropriation.
One bridge is nearing completion, while piling is ongoing on the other two.
Umahi said the ministry was targeting the completion and inauguration of several key roads and bridges by December 2025.
The inspection tour is expected to continue through Delta, Anambra, and Enugu states.
