President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of ₦16.7 billion for the reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which collapsed after flooding in May.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in Abakaliki on Saturday after a meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

Idris, who is leading a Federal Government delegation on a three-day project inspection and citizen engagement tour in the South-East, said the approval reflects the administration’s commitment to tackling urgent infrastructure challenges.

“We want to thank Mr President and the Honourable Minister of Works. We jointly discussed this and approached Mr President, who graciously approved it. It means a lot to the people. It’s ₦16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge a 10-span bridge,” Idris said.

He praised Umahi for deploying experts swiftly to assess the damage immediately after the collapse, describing the President’s approval as “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State.”

On his part, Umahi hailed Tinubu as a compassionate and responsive leader.
“The President approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the Honourable Minister. He graciously approved because of him,” the Works Minister said.

Umahi further revealed that new approvals extend across all six geo-political zones, including: the washed-away five-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; the Lokoja Bridge; permanent repairs of the Afikpo road linking Ebonyi, Abia and Imo States; the Keffi Flyover Bridge; the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State; seven bridges in Edo State; and a bridge in Kebbi State.