FG Approves N16.7bn for Mokwa Bridge Reconstruction
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of N16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which was destroyed by floods in May this year.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Saturday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, after a joint briefing with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
Idris, who is leading a Federal Government delegation on a three-day project inspection and citizen engagement tour of the South-East, said the approval highlights the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling urgent infrastructure challenges across the country.
“We want to thank Mr. President and 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 N16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge — a 10-span bridge,” Idris said.
He commended Umahi for his prompt intervention in the wake of the disaster, noting that experts from the Federal Ministry of Works were quickly deployed to assess the extent of the damage after the bridge was washed away.
The Information Minister described the approval as “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State,” adding that it reflects the administration’s readiness to respond to citizens’ needs.
On his part, Senator Umahi praised Tinubu for being a “compassionate and listening leader,” stressing that the Mokwa Bridge was only one of several critical infrastructure projects recently approved by the President.
According to him, the new approvals also cover the reconstruction of the washed-away 5-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; the Lokoja Bridge; the permanent repair of a failed section of the Afikpo road linking Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states; the Keffi Flyover Bridge; the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State; seven bridges in Edo State; and a bridge in Kebbi State.
Umahi said the approvals cut across all geopolitical zones, assuring that the projects would be executed to standard in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
By PRNigeria