North-Central is strategic to my administration — Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that the North Central geo-political zone is crucial and strategically important to his administration, revealing that 61 road projects are currently under construction across the six states in the zone.

The President, who stated this while flagging off the rehabilitation of the Babban-Lamba-Sharam Phase II Road in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, said five projects have already been completed, while 25 major road projects and 31 emergency road projects are ongoing across the geo-political zone.

According to him, the states in the North Central zone have never previously benefited from federal infrastructure initiatives of this magnitude.

The President, who was represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stated that the majority of the country’s highways are being built to form an integrated national road network connecting the North-West, North-East, North Central, South-South, South-East and South-West.

“Every region of Nigeria is linked through these four major legacy projects of this administration. This has never been done before. It represents the largest road infrastructure programme in the history of our country.

“Our economic reforms are also improving governance. The economic indicators continue to show positive trends. Our GDP is improving, our foreign reserves are stronger, and key indicators across the economy are moving in the right direction. Nigeria’s investment outlook has improved significantly,” he said.

He highlighted that, as a result of the reforms, more revenue is now flowing to the states, adding that this has enabled many states to execute projects without relying heavily on borrowing or issuing bonds.

In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the APC has every reason to be optimistic across Plateau State and, indeed, the entire North Central zone, stressing that the region currently has the largest road infrastructure programme under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He advised political opponents, particularly the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party, Mr Peter Obi, to be constructive in their criticism, adding that President Tinubu has achieved much in the past three years and therefore deserves commendation.

“Many opponents have come to say we are getting it right. I anticipated Mr Peter Obi to do the same based on Mr President’s achievements.

“If you want to criticise the President based on what I am doing, criticise me, not the President. Leave the President out of it. He deserves your support and your votes. If you must criticise, do it constructively,” he advised.