Senator Ali Ndume has urged the Federal Government to initiate special priority projects in the Northeast region of the country, in order to address crippling social infrastructural challenges facing the zone.
The Senator representing Borno South made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
His suggestion was on the heels of Wednesday’s visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the six governors in the region.
Special Presidential Priority Projects are national infrastructure initiatives, distinct from routine operations which demand dedicated focus and resources, due to their strategic importance or urgent need of completion.
At the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum, who is the Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, listed 17 vital road projects neglected for decades, seeking urgent attention.
The roads include Kano-Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri Railway line, Bama-Mubi-Yola Road, Wukari-Jalingo-Yola Road, Duguri-Mansur Road (NNPC Project ongoing), 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 requested for resumption of oil exploration in the frontier wells, particularly the Kolmani and Lake Chad wells.
The Senator, who commended the North East Governors Forum for their bold move, said that the region deserved such attention as he noted that infrastructures in the six states in the North east region have been left comatose for over 15 years, occassioned by security challenges created by the menace of the insurgents.
The lawmaker pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accommodate the needs of the region in the 2025 Supplementary Budget and 2026 Budget proposal.
He further admonished the North-East Governors not to relent in promoting concrete initiatives that would make life better and meaningful for the citizens in the region.
About the Author
