Tinubu directs closer federal-state collaboration on infrastructure projects
…enforces dredging ban near bridges
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has directed state governors and federal agencies to strengthen coordination in infrastructure planning and approvals to avoid project delays and rising costs. He also reaffirmed a nationwide ban on dredging within 10 kilometres of all bridges, citing safety concerns.
Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road near the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, the President stressed the need for streamlined collaboration between state and federal levels on planning and execution.
“I have directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Surveyor-General of the Federation to work more closely with the governors,” President Tinubu said. “Please, my dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaboration with the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Works. I am appealing to you to realise the same development goal.”
He noted that disjointed planning had led to inflated compensation costs and project delays. Tinubu urged state governments to align with federal development efforts to deliver people-focused infrastructure, which he described as the backbone of industrialisation and economic growth.
In a decisive safety measure, the President reiterated the enforcement of the federal ban on dredging within 10 kilometres of all bridges nationwide.
“Let me emphasise the ban by the Federal Government of Nigeria on any dredging within a 10km radius of all our bridges nationwide,” he stated. “I appeal to all governors, relevant agencies, and security agencies to implement this ban immediately.”
The President made the remarks while commissioning several road projects across the country and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering enduring infrastructure. These include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the long-delayed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, first conceptualised during the Shagari administration over four decades ago.
Providing updates, Tinubu revealed that:
Over 10km of the 55km Lagos-Calabar Highway Section II has already been completed.
Construction has commenced on 258km and 120km segments of the Sokoto-Badagry corridor in Kebbi and Sokoto States, respectively.
Work is also ongoing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Adamawa, Kwara, Borno, and Kaduna States.
