By ANGELA ATABO

The Federal Government has approved the extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road project by 8.7 kilometres, as well as the Akwanga-Jos-Gombe-Maiduguri Road.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a news briefing.

Umahi reinforced the Ministry’s commitment to expanding strategic infrastructure and improving connectivity in the Niger-Delta region.

He said the approval was part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader directive to accelerate critical road projects across the country.

“Yesterday, the president graciously directed that the Ministry of Works should extend the Bodo–Bonny Road by 8.7 kilometres using reinforced concrete up to the East–West road.

“The decision is a major boost to economic activities in Rivers and the South-South.

“The extension will enhance access to coastal communities and strengthen regional integration.

“The extension reflects the administration’s resolve to sustain inherited projects and expand their scope where necessary.

“The president did not stop any inherited project. He directed the continuation of all projects and also approved extensions where they are critical to national development,” he said.

Umahi said the present administration prioritised durable infrastructure, adopting reinforced concrete technology to ensure longevity and value for money.

He explained, “The roads we are building now will last between 50 and 100 years.

“This is very important because Nigerians deserve infrastructure that will stand the test of time.

“Another fantastic news. When we talk about the fourth Legacy project of President Tinubu, it is the Akwanga to Jos to Borno State.

“That was what the president gave to me, that route is supposed to be Akwanga, Jos, Gombe, to Maiduguri.”

Umahi said that the President has thought it wise to extend the project starting from Akwanga, another work should start from Maiduguri, going to Gombe, going to Bauchi.”

Umahi also raised concerns over widespread vandalisation of public infrastructure, warning that the destruction of road assets threatens the sustainability of government investments.

He said, “We are facing massive vandalisation of our critical infrastructure across the country.

“What we are doing to protect our roads is being destroyed by people,”.

He cited the examples of damaged installations, illegal mining activities around bridges, and deliberate obstruction of drainage systems, which he said had contributed to flooding and structural failures in several locations.

“The flooding we witnessed was because underground channels were blocked with refuse. People dump their daily waste inside manholes, and this is one of the reasons for flooding in many places,” Umahi said.

The minister also urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for protecting public infrastructure.

“This infrastructure belongs to all of us. If we do not protect it, we will continue to repeat repairs, and that is not good for our society,” he said.

Umahi said the ministry was working within available resources to deliver quality projects and ensure transparency in execution.

“We are doing everything possible within the limit of our ability and conscience to ensure value for money in road infrastructure,” he said.

The minister commended Tinubu for sustaining road projects inherited from previous administrations and expanding their scope despite fiscal constraints.

He said, “The president had shown commitment to road infrastructure in spite of the fact that he inherited a very terrible state of roads and bridges, yet he had continued the projects and even extended some of them.” (NAN)