The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerate infrastructure and human capital development in the North-East region of the country.

He said efficient infrastructure is a key vehicle to transforming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development agenda into concrete durable capital projects in the region.

The Minister gave the assurance on Tuesday in Maiduguri during his two-day working visit to Borno State, to inspect several ongoing infrastructure projects executed by the NEDC and commissioned a Fertility Care Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri.

Ahmadu was accompanied on the project inspection by the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, senior management staff of the commission and other officials.

The commissioning of the fertility centre was attended by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom who represented the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

Other projects inspected by the minister were the 250-capacity bed hostel, with kitchen, laundry and dining facilities, at the Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri; the Moro Moro Bridge and the Galtimari-Fori Bridge, all being constructed or reconstructed by NEDC.

At the College of Agriculture, Ahmadu, the Provost, Prof. Abba Makinta, and the supervising engineer were briefed on the construction progress.

He commended the pace and quality of work, directing that the project be completed according to approved specifications and within the stipulated timeframe.

“Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is deeply committed to the development and stabilisation of the North-East. The NEDC is one of the key instruments through which this commitment is being translated into concrete infrastructure interventions,” the Minister said.

He lalso inspected the Moro Moro Bridge, which was destroyed by the devastating September 2024 Maiduguri flood and is being reconstructed by the commission.

Briefing the delegation, the supervising engineer, Kori Shettima, said the bridge is approximately 120 metres long and serves as an important link for communities in Borno State and traders from neighbouring countries.

He said its reconstruction would improve transportation and access to the Gamboru International Market, a major commercial centre in the area.

Chairman of Moro Moro Market, Alhaji Modu Maiduguri, commended NEDC for intervening in the reconstruction, saying the bridge’s collapse severely affected commercial activities and the movement of goods.

At the Galtimari-Fori Bridge, another infrastructure project affected by the 2024 flood, Shettima said the nine-span, 180-metre bridge was about 80 per cent complete, with major structural works concluded and finishing works underway.

Ahmadu expressed satisfaction with the progress of the projects and commended NEDC, the contractors and supervising engineers for adhering to engineering standards.

He said the interventions were consistent with President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the infrastructure deficit and promoting sustainable development across the North-East region.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has Borno at heart and is committed to the development of the North-East. We are here to ensure that this commitment translates into quality infrastructure, and the Ministry will continue to support NEDC in delivering these projects for the benefit of the people,” he said.