Minister of Works, David Umahi has stated that the Federal Government is fair in distributing its road infrastructure to all the geo-political zones.

Umahi said the Ministry has not neglected the Northern region as speculated in some quarters.

The minister in a statement said a “misleading and mischievous publication by Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, who, without recourse to facts, figures nor records, decided to blindly allege that the zone was neglected in the ongoing road projects.

“For the records, they have continued to work diligently, transparently, and fairly in implementing the distribution of the ongoing road and bridge infrastructure interventions, especially those funded via Infrastructure Fund, SUKUK, Tax Credit Scheme, and the emergency intervention ones.

“We have commendably and unprecedentedly stepped up project monitoring and supervision mechanisms on these projects spread across the six (6) geo-political zones, and Nigerians can attest to the fact that every zone has its fair share in the distribution of the ongoing projects.”

According to him, facts and figures show that out of a total of 2,735km of the Legacy Projects initiated by the administration, the North has a cumulative total of 1,414km while the South has 1,321km amounting to a percentage ratio of 52:48 respectively.

The Works Minister further disclosed that out of 82 Sukuk-funded ongoing projects, the North has forty-five (45), while the South has 37 projects. Of the 260 emergency projects, 98 are being executed in the South, while 108 numbers are in the South.

“Additionally, out of the 44 road projects executed under the Road Tax Credit Scheme, 23 are domiciled in the North, while 21 numbers are in the South. At the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting it approved the construction of 258 km 3-lane carriageway using continuously reinforced concrete pavement in Kebbi and Sokoto States,” Umahi said.

“The 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, completion of the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State, the rescoping and downward review of the contract to rehabilitate the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, the construction of Cross River to Oferekpe road.

“Others are the rehabilitation of Kabba (Kogi State) – 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.

“We have 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) –Otukpo – Makurdi road project (phase ii) in Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu State, 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 Honourable Minister has not only visited these projects but has also set up a supervision mechanism to ensure quality and speed in the execution of the projects.

“The Ministry is, undoubtedly, committed to applying the tenets of fairness, justice, equity, and good conscience in the distribution and execution of road infrastructure projects.

“It is only persons of narrow minds or with cheap and ulterior motives that can be so petty as to engage in such unprovoked and mischievous misrepresentation of facts as contained in the said publication credited to Jadda Garko, described as a singer and politician.”