Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has formally petitioned the Federal Ministry of Works over what he described as the exclusion of critical transit hubs in Borno State from a multi-billion naira federal “legacy” road project, raising concerns about equity, regional integration, and post-conflict recovery in Nigeria’s northeast.
In a letter addressed to the ministry, Ndume argued that key economic and humanitarian corridors within Borno State were omitted from the large-scale infrastructure initiative despite their strategic importance to national security, commerce, and cross-border movement. He maintained that the omission undermines federal commitments to rebuilding communities severely affected by insurgency over the past decade.
Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senior lawmaker with longstanding representation of the region, stated that Borno’s transit infrastructure remains fragile and overstretched due to years of conflict-related damage. He emphasized that major transport arteries linking southern Borno to Maiduguri and neighboring states require urgent federal attention to stimulate economic recovery and facilitate safe mobility.
The federal legacy road initiative, widely reported to involve multi-billion naira investments across several geopolitical zones, is designed to modernize and expand Nigeria’s highway network. The program targets high-traffic corridors deemed vital for trade, agricultural distribution, and national integration. However, Ndume contends that excluding major Borno transit routes from the blueprint contradicts the stated objective of inclusive infrastructure development.
Borno State has endured prolonged insurgency by extremist groups, resulting in extensive destruction of roads, bridges, and public utilities. While federal and state authorities have undertaken phased reconstruction efforts, lawmakers from the region argue that progress remains uneven. According to Ndume, road connectivity is central not only to economic revitalization but also to security operations and humanitarian access.
In his petition, the senator reportedly called on the Federal Ministry of Works to review the project’s scope and incorporate strategic Borno corridors, particularly those linking agricultural communities to major markets and those facilitating movement toward border regions. He stressed that reliable road infrastructure would enhance troop mobility, accelerate reconstruction programs, and reduce the isolation of rural settlements.
Stakeholders within Borno have echoed similar concerns, noting that inadequate road networks increase transportation costs and limit private sector investment. Traders and transport operators frequently cite poor road conditions as a constraint on commerce, especially during the rainy season when some routes become impassable.
Officials at the Federal Ministry of Works have not publicly responded to the petition at the time of filing this report. However, ministry sources have previously indicated that project selection criteria are based on economic viability, traffic density, and national impact assessments. Infrastructure experts suggest that advocacy by lawmakers can influence adjustments during implementation phases, particularly if supplementary budget allocations are secured.
Security analysts also underscore the linkage between infrastructure and stability. Improved highways in conflict-affected regions can support faster deployment of security forces, improve intelligence coordination, and strengthen civilian confidence in government presence. Conversely, neglected road networks may create logistical gaps exploited by non-state armed groups.
Ndume’s intervention highlights ongoing debates over equitable distribution of federal infrastructure spending among Nigeria’s regions. Legislators from various states have periodically sought revisions to federal road plans to reflect emerging needs or correct perceived imbalances.
For residents of southern Borno, the petition signals renewed political attention to infrastructure deficits that have long constrained mobility and economic resilience. Whether the Federal Ministry of Works will amend the legacy project’s design to accommodate the requested corridors remains uncertain, but the issue is expected to feature prominently in upcoming legislative oversight engagements.
As Nigeria continues to channel significant resources into nationwide road modernization, the call from Borno underscores the challenge of aligning strategic infrastructure investment with the reconstruction needs of regions emerging from prolonged insecurity.
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