Ndume to FG: Prioritise north-east in infrastructure provision

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has asked the federal government to initiate special priority projects in the north-east.

Ndume, who is a former senate leader, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

His appeal follows Wednesday’s visit of six governors from the region to President Bola Tinubu.

Special presidential priority projects are national infrastructure initiatives that require dedicated attention and resources due to their strategic importance or urgency.

At the meeting in the presidential villa, Babagana Zulum, Borno governor and chair of the north-east governors’ forum, listed 17 road projects that have been abandoned for decades.

The projects include Kano-Maiduguri road, Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri railway line, Bama-Mubi-Yola road, Wukari-Jalingo-Yola road, Duguri-Mansur road, Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Damaturu road, Damaturu-Geidam road, Bauchi-Ningi-Nasaru-Babaldo road, and Gombe-Potiskum, Damaturu-Biu roads.

Others are Alkaleri-Futuk road, Maiduguri-Damboa-Yola road, Gombe-Dukku-Darazo road, Biu-Gombe road, Ibi-Shamdam road, Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga road, and Maiduguri-Ngala-Bama-Banki roads.

The governors also demanded the resumption of oil exploration in the Kolmani and Lake Chad frontier wells.

Ndume commended the forum for the initiative, saying the north-east deserves attention after over 15 years of infrastructural neglect due to insecurity.

He urged Tinubu to include the projects in the 2025 supplementary budget and 2026 budget proposal.

“Fifteen years down the line, there hasn’t been any meaningful infrastructural development in the north-east as it has been ravaged by the insurgents,” he said.

“In view of this, I suggest that the present administration should give priority to the region and make provision for its urgent infrastructural needs in the 2025 supplementary budget.

“Now that insurgents have receded as a result of efforts by our military who have regained lost grounds, contractors can now move to sites.”

The lawmaker also asked the governors not to relent in promoting initiatives that would make life better for residents of the region.