NIGERIA: Tinubu Approves N16.7bn For Immediate Reconstruction Of Mokwa Bridge

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has approved N16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which was destroyed by flooding in May.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this in Abakaliki on Saturday after a meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

According to a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation,

Idris, who is on a three-day tour of projects and citizen engagements in the South East, said the approval highlights the government’s commitment to responding quickly to critical infrastructure challenges.

“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 N16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge, a 10-span bridge,” he said.

The minister praised Senator Umahi for promptly dispatching experts to assess the bridge when it collapsed. He added that the reconstruction approval would be welcomed by the government and people of Niger State.

In his remarks, Umahi said President Tinubu is a compassionate leader committed to solving citizens’ problems. He noted that the President approved the project out of concern for the affected communities.

Umahi explained that recent approvals for infrastructure projects cover all geopolitical zones of the country. He mentioned works such as the reconstruction of the washed-away 5-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State, the Lokoja Bridge, permanent repairs on 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 another bridge in Kebbi State.