Details have emerged following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and governors of the North East at the Presidential Villa.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the regional leaders during the meeting pressed for urgent completion of critical road and rail projects that cut across the six states of the zone.
In a presentation under the aegis of the North East Governors’ Forum, the governors listed priority infrastructure requiring federal attention, including the Kano–Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri railway line, Bama–Mubi–Yola Road, Wukari–Jalingo–Yola Road, and the Duguri–Mansur Road currently under the NNPC project. Others highlighted were the Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Damaturu Road, Damaturu–Geidam Road, Bauchi–Ningi–Nasaru–Babaldo Road, Gombe–Potiskum–Damaturu–Biu Road, Alkaleri–Futuk Road, Maiduguri–Damboa–Yola Road, Gombe–Dukku–Darazo Road, Biu–Gombe Road, Ibi–Shamdam Road, Maiduguri–Monguno–Baga Road, and Maiduguri–Ngala–Bama–Banki Road.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who spoke on behalf of the forum, commended President Tinubu for sustaining the counter-insurgency efforts of his predecessor and for fostering peace in the troubled region.
“We thank you for fostering peace and stability within the sub-region and continuing with the initiative of your predecessor in sustaining the fight against insurgency,” Zulum said.
He pledged the governors’ support for the president’s renewed hope agenda, particularly in the areas of manpower training, technology deployment, and agricultural development as tools for addressing insecurity.
“The North East governors hold you in high esteem, and all of us have resolved to partner with you in your determination to provide good governance for Nigeria with a view to leaving behind lasting legacies and landmarks for the country,” he added.
In his response, President Tinubu acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the governors of his administration’s commitment to tackling the infrastructure and security challenges facing the North East.