North gets over 60% of Tinubu’s legacy road projects, says Works Minister

Minister of Works, David Umahi, asserted that the northern region is receiving a larger share of President Bola Tinubu's "legacy road projects," accounting for over 60% of the total, while the southern region receives approximately 40%. Umahi made these remarks during a town hall meeting in Gombe State, following an inspection of the superhighway project connecting Gombe to Biu in Borno State.

“

Under the legacy projects of Mr President, I can boldly say as Minister of Works that the North controls 60 per cent of the projects, while the South controls 40 per cent.

Umahi stressed that the distribution of these projects underscores the administration's commitment to equitable development across the nation. He urged stakeholders to view road infrastructure as a national asset, not a regional one, noting that "every state in the federation is benefiting from ongoing federal road projects." He pointed out that the length of the Akwanga to Maiduguri superhighway project is comparable to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“

The projects in the North are more, and they are not used by northerners alone, just as the projects in the South are not used by southerners alone. Let us see ourselves as one people.

The minister also drew attention to the historical significance of several ongoing projects. He mentioned that the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway was first conceived about 50 years ago during the Shehu Shagari administration, while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was envisioned by President Tinubu nearly three decades ago. Umahi dismissed any threats to halt these projects, expressing confidence in their completion, stating, "I don’t think God will allow it."

“

There is no state that will say it does not have a federal presence in terms of road construction.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State described the highway project as a significant milestone for the state, anticipating it will spur economic growth and regional integration. He noted the project aligns with the Federal Government's broader development agenda and will complement existing efforts to improve livelihoods.

“

The Sokoto–Badagry project was dreamt of by the Shagari administration about 50 years ago and is being actualised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Lagos–Calabar project was dreamt of by him about 28 years ago and is now being actualised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.