President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of N16.7 billion for the urgent reconstruction of the collapsed Mokwa Bridge in Niger State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the bridge, which caved in during heavy flooding in May, left over 50 homes submerged in Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities of Mokwa LGA. The disaster claimed about 150 lives.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, disclosed the approval on Saturday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, after a meeting with David Umahi, minister of works.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said the move demonstrates the Tinubu administration’s resolve to swiftly address critical infrastructure challenges.
He said, “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.”
Idris praised Umahi for promptly deploying technical teams to assess the damage after the collapse, describing the president’s action as “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State.”
Umahi, on his part, commended Tinubu as a compassionate and listening leader determined to ease the hardships of Nigerians.
He said, “ The president approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the honourable minister. He graciously approved because of him.”
The works minister further revealed that the president’s latest approvals extend beyond Mokwa, covering major infrastructure projects across all six geopolitical zones.
These include the reconstruction of the washed-away five-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; Lokoja Bridge; permanent repairs on the Afikpo road in Ebonyi linking Abia and Imo; Keffi flyover Bridge; Jebba Bridge in Kwara; seven bridges in Edo; and a bridge in Kebbi.
