President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger state, which was destroyed by flooding in May.
Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, announced the president’s approval in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, on Saturday after a meeting with Dave Umahi, the minister of works.
Idris, who is leading a federal government delegation on a three-day tour of projects and citizen engagements in the south-east, said the approval underscores the administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.
“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,” he said.
The minister also commended Umahi for his swift response to the disaster, noting that he dispatched experts to assess the damage shortly after the bridge was washed away.
According to Idris, the approval will be “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State.”
Umahi described Tinubu as a compassionate and listening leader committed to addressing the challenges confronting citizens.
He said the President’s latest infrastructure approvals cut across all geo-political zones, listing projects such as the reconstruction of the washed-away 5-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba state, Lokoja Bridge, permanent repair of the washed-away section of the Afikpo–Abia–Imo highway, Keffi Flyover Bridge, Jebba Bridge in Kwara state, seven bridges in Edo state and a bridge in Kebbi state.
