President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of ₦16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which flooding destroyed in May 2025.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this in Abakaliki on Saturday after a meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
Leading a Federal Government delegation on a three-day tour of projects and citizen engagements in the South-East, Idris said the approval demonstrates the administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.
“We want to thank Mr President, and we want to thank the Minister of Works. We jointly discussed this and approached Mr President, who graciously approved it. It means a lot to the people. It’s ₦16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge — a 10-span bridge,” Idris was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (Media), Rabiu Ibrahim.
Idris also commended Umahi for his swift action after the disaster, including deploying experts to assess the damage shortly after the bridge was washed away. He added that the reconstruction approval would be “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State”.
Umahi described Tinubu as a compassionate, listening leader committed to addressing citizens’ challenges. “The President approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the minister. He graciously approved because of him,” Umahi said.
The former Ebonyi governor explained that the latest round of infrastructure approvals covered all geo-political zones of the country. He listed them to include the reconstruction of the washed-away five-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; the Lokoja Bridge; the permanent repair of the Afikpo Bridge section linking Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States; the Keffi Flyover Bridge; the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State; seven bridges in Edo State; and one in Kebbi State.
Deadly Flood
Over 150 people in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State lost their lives in the devastating May flood, which also destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents.
According to the Niger State government, 1,354 people were directly affected, 4,534 were displaced, and 458 households suffered severe losses. In addition, 265 buildings were destroyed or damaged, two major roads were cut off, and five key bridges collapsed, including the vital Goodwill Bridge on the Mokwa-Jaba Road.
During a June visit, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu, announced the immediate release of ₦2 billion for rebuilding houses destroyed by the flood.