The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has criticised the Federal Government over the alleged exclusion of the North-West geopolitical zone from recently approved federal road projects valued at more than ₦3.9 trillion.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition described the omission as unfair and urged the government to review the list of projects to ensure equitable distribution of infrastructure across the country.
According to the coalition, none of the seven North-West states—Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara—was included among the beneficiaries of the road projects recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The CNG argued that the development was difficult to reconcile with the region’s contribution to the election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election, maintaining that the North-West played a significant role in the electoral success of the ruling party.
The group also expressed concern that several economically important highways within the region, including the Kano–Katsina–Maradi corridor, the Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua route and the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari road, were not captured in the latest infrastructure approvals despite their importance to agriculture, trade, security and interstate commerce.
It further lamented the slow pace of work on the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, noting that road users continue to face security challenges, traffic congestion and economic losses while new road projects are being initiated in other parts of the country.
The coalition called on the Federal Government to reconsider the approved project list by including critical highways across the North-West and accelerating the completion of ongoing projects in the region.
It also urged political office holders from the North-West to speak out on behalf of their constituents, saying they have a responsibility to protect the interests of the people they represent.
The CNG maintained that the North-West remains one of Nigeria’s largest agricultural and commercial hubs, warning that continued neglect of its road infrastructure could have adverse consequences for economic growth and national development.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to advocating fairness, equity and balanced development, stressing that all regions of the country should benefit equally from federal infrastructure investments.
Source: The Guardian
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