President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate release of N16.7 billion for the reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which was washed away by flooding in May.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Saturday in Abakaliki after a meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
Idris is currently leading a federal delegation on a three-day tour of infrastructure projects and citizen engagement programmes across the South-East.
According to him, the funding approval reflects the Tinubu administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.
“We want to thank Mr. President, and we want to thank the Honourable Minister of Works. We jointly discussed this and approached Mr. President, who graciously approved it. It means a lot to the people.
“It’s N16.7bn to reconstruct the bridge, a 10-span bridge,” Idris said in a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
He stressed the importance of the bridge for regional connectivity and praised the Works Ministry’s swift intervention after the disaster.
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“His response was immediate and decisive. This development is music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State,” Idris added.
In his remarks, Umahi described Tinubu as a compassionate leader who listens to the needs of Nigerians.
“The President approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the Honourable Minister. He graciously approved because of him,” Umahi said.
The Works Minister also pointed to other recent approvals across the country, which he said underscore the administration’s commitment to balanced national development.
Among them are the reconstruction of the washed-away 5-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State, the Lokoja Bridge, permanent repair works on the Afikpo Road linking Ebonyi to Abia and Imo States.
Others include the Keffi Flyover Bridge, the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, seven bridges in Edo State, and in Kebbi State.