By Owaikhena Osikhekha
President Bola Tinubu is a known nationalist. The Jagaban 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 siting 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 road projects by the administration of President Tinubu 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 Tinubu has absolutely been fair in the distribution of road projects 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 record, 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 the distribution 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 2,735 kilometres of the legacy projects initiated by the administration of President Tinubu ( The Asiwaju of Africa), 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 North.
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.
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 September 23, 2024, approved the construction of 258km three-lane carriageway using continuously reinforced concrete pavement in Kebbi and Sokoto states, which is part of the 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry super-highway; 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-Oferekpe road and the rehabilitation of Kabba (Kogi State) to 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) to Otukpo-Makurdi road project (phase II) in Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu states; 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 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry super-highway, when completed, will aid trading and other commercial activities in the northern and southern regions. One hundred and twenty kilometers will pass through Sokoto and 258 kilometres will extend through Kebb State, extending to Illela border town with Niger Republic in Sokoto State.
The Sokoto-Badagry corridor boasts of 53 dams that would be deployed for agriculture and electricity and serves as trade routes with other African countries. The super-highway like the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, is an investment for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
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 road projects 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 fairness?
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.
•Osikhekha is a social commentor/ political analyst.