President Buhari approves N57 billion for construction of bridge across River Benue

macfranc007 June 28, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Oluwatobi Bolashodun

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, June 27, approved the construction of Ibi Bridge across River Benue connecting Taraba and Plateau states at the cost of N57 billion.

NAIJ.com gathered that the president gave the approval during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The construction the bridge on River Benue would link the southeast, southsouth and the north central zones of the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the construction of Ibi Bridge across River Benue

President Buhari approves construction of Ibi Bridge across River Benue. Photo credit: Twitter, Taraba Facts

Mike Onolememen, minister of works under ex president Goodluck Jonathan's administration said that the bridge which would be about 1,970 metres long and would ease the traffic on the Abuja-Lokoja and Akwanga-Lafia roads when completed.

Taraba state has the longest stretch of the river Benue with no bridge linking Plateau and Taraba states.

The demand for the bridge was presented to the House of Representtaives by Usman Danjuma Shiddi and 4 others on January 25, 2016.

The project is aimed at alleviating communication difficulties between north and southern parts of the country.

The construction of Ibi Bridge across River Benue connecting Taraba and Plateau states would cost N57 billion. Photo credit: Twitter, Taraba Facts

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In a previous report by NAIJ.com, the federal government on Thursday, May 10, in Abuja said that it had committed N300 billion so far on road infrastructure compared to only N18 billion which the previous administration spent.

Babatunde Fashola, the minister of power, works and housing, said this during the 4th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) with the theme: road infrastructure in Nigeria: impacts on petroleum products distribution.

A ride on the Abuja-Kaduna railway on NAIJ.com TV