The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has dismissed claims of inequity in the distribution of road and bridge projects across Nigeria.
These allegations were raised by one Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, accusing the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, of favoring the Southern region over the North.
In a statement released by the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization asserted that the Northern region has actually received a larger share of infrastructure projects under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to Isiguzoro, recent data reveals that out of 2,735 kilometers of road projects currently under construction, 52% (1,414 kilometers) are in the Northern region, while 48% (1,321 kilometers) are in the South.
Ohanaeze’s statement described the accusations as baseless, stating that they were part of a broader attempt by opposition figures to distract the Minister from his duties. The organisation emphasised that Senator Umahi has been working diligently to fulfill the mandates given to him by President Tinubu, particularly within the framework of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” for Nigeria’s infrastructural transformation.
The statement emphasised that, “The Northern region is the largest beneficiary of President Tinubu’s infrastructural initiatives. Verified data shows the significant progress made under Senator Umahi, with road and bridge projects fairly distributed across the country”.
The organisation also addressed the funding mechanisms for these projects, including Federal Budgetary Provisions, the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Fund, Sukuk, and the Road Tax Credit Scheme. According to it, data shows that the North leads in Sukuk-funded projects, with 45 out of 82 projects allocated to the region, while the South has 37.
However, in emergency road projects, the South receives a larger share, with 108 projects compared to the North’s 98.
Ohanaeze also commended the transparency and accountability brought to the Ministry of Works under Umahi’s leadership, noting his background as a civil engineer and his commitment to ensuring proper fiscal management and resource allocation. According to the organisation, Umahi’s tenure has set a new standard for infrastructural management in Nigeria.
The statement called for unity among Nigerians in support of the on-going infrastructure projects, urging citizens to reject divisive rhetoric and focus on collaborative efforts to advance the nation’s development.
