The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has refuted allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is favoring the South in infrastructure distribution across the country.
Speaking during a two-day inspection of federal road projects in Rivers and Bayelsa states, Umahi labeled the claims as “misleading,” emphasizing that the North accounts for 52% of legacy projects, while the South holds 48%.
“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.
He accused those behind the claims of spreading false narratives and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development nationwide.
Meanwhile, Umahi has said that the Bonny-Bodo Road in Rivers State will be completed and inaugurated by November 2025.
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.
Progress On East-West Road, Others
During his inspection tour, David Umahi assessed sections of the East-West Road in Eleme and Ahoada (Rivers State) and Zarama (Bayelsa State), where reconstruction is underway on areas damaged by the 2023 floods.
In Bayelsa, he noted that the contractor, ROC Result, has completed 60% of the repair work, with one carriageway already open to traffic.
Umahi also inspected one of three collapsed bridges between Rivers and Delta states, awarded to SETRACO under a 2023 supplementary appropriation. One of the bridges is nearing completion, while piling work continues on the other two.
He stated that the ministry aims to complete and commission several key roads and bridges by December 2025.
The inspection tour will extend to Delta, Anambra, and Enugu states in the coming days.