Northern Group Backs Umahi, Refutes Allegations of Project Inequity
http://www.newsportng.com.ng The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), a prominent civil society organisation with focus on monitoring development and policy direction in Northern Nigeria has voided allegations that the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi has done any wrong in the allocation of road projects
Recall that one Muhammad Jamil had few days ago accused the Minister of Works of foul play in the allocation of road and bridge projects in favour of southern Nigeria against the north.
In a press release signed and made available to journalists in Abuja by its spokesman, Comrade Abdulsalam Moh’d Kazeem, CNF distanced itself from the allegation, insisting that Engr. Dave Umahi has been fair in the allocation of projects in the Ministry of Works with a fair share of the projects located in Northern Nigeria.
“It is totally malicious to accuse the Minister of Works of any wrongdoing. For a detribalized Nigerian and astute professional like Engr. Dave Umahi who has served Nigeria faithfully in different capacities credibly, it’s callous to accuse him of lopsidedness in the allocation of projects.
“From available data, of the 2,735 kilometers of roads awarded by the Minister of Works and currently under construction, about 1,414 kilometers, representing (52%) are allocated to the Northern region, as opposed to 1,321 kilometers (48%) designated for the Southern region.
“Senator Umahi has been dedicatedly executing the mandates bestowed upon him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council, working tirelessly to fulfill the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria’s infrastructural landscape for the betterment of all citizens. To say the contrary is a disservice to a patroit”, the statement noted.
The rights group urged Nigerians especially those from the northern region not to listen to clout chasers who are out to discredit the meritorious service the current administration is rendering to Nigerians for personal and selfish reasons.
“As advocates of our people and region, we urge Nigerians to disregard the antics of detractors, as it’s obvious that these allegations stem from disenchanted individuals who have historically profited from the Nigerian project through opaque and corrupt practices. The likes of Mr. Jamil, among others, who have failed to meet their contractual obligations in the past, now seek to masquerade as champions of equity after years of benefiting from a system they now critique.
“Their attempts to exploit the sentiments of patriotic Nigerians during this crucial period of infrastructural renewal are not only disingenuous but reflect an insidious inclination toward creating divisiveness in an otherwise cohesive narrative of national development. They must therefore not be allowed to succeed”, the statement ended.
Northern Group Backs Umahi, Refutes Allegations of Project Inequity
