Contrary to claims that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is prioritising the South in infrastructure allocation across the country, the North currently holds 52% of legacy projects in the country, as against the South’s 48 percent, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said.

Umahi, who described the claims as “misleading”, gave the explanation while addressing the media during a two-day inspection tour of federal road projects in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

“Projects like the Sokoto-Badagry Road, Calabar-Abuja Highway, and Akwanga-Jos Road are ongoing in the North. When you measure by mileage and cost, the distribution is balanced,” Umahi said.

He accused those behind the claims of spreading false narratives and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development nationwide.

Meanwhile, Umahi has said that the Bonny-Bodo Road in Rivers State will be completed and inaugurated by November 2025.

Umahi, who gave the assurance while speaking at the Bonny-Bodo project site, commended the construction firm, Julius Berger, for the pace and quality of work.

He confirmed that 5.3 kilometers of concrete pavement had already been completed and directed that stone base and asphalt be applied on the section to prepare it for the commissioning ceremony.

Umahi said the pavement was tested and confirmed durable enough to support a presidential helicopter landing.

“All work must stay within the existing N200 billion contract sum – no adjustments will be approved,” he stated.

He added that the Federal Government plans to expand the road into a dual carriageway and install solar-powered streetlights, with the potential for an operate-maintain model to ensure sustainability.

Project engineers said the road was 85 per cent complete, with the remaining section awaiting ground settlement.

Julius Berger officials projected that major construction work would end by September, with finishing work by October.

The Bonny-Bodo Road features nine mini-bridges and three major bridges and is currently open to limited traffic.