Ndume Tells Federal Government To Prioritise North-East Projects

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on the federal government to give special attention to the development of the north-east by initiating priority infrastructure projects in the region.

His appeal came in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, following the recent visit of six north-east governors to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. During the meeting, the governors, led by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, presented a list of 17 long-abandoned road projects, including the Kano–Maiduguri road, Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri railway, Bama–Mubi–Yola road, and Wukari–Jalingo–Yola road. Other major routes across Bauchi, Gombe, Damaturu, and Maiduguri were also highlighted.

The governors further pressed for the resumption of oil exploration in the Kolmani and Lake Chad frontier wells, stressing the need to revive economic activities that could transform the region’s fortunes.

Ndume, a former senate leader, commended the governors for their collective push, noting that the north-east has endured over 15 years of neglect due to insecurity. He argued that the time was right for the Tinubu administration to prioritise the zone, now that military operations have pushed back insurgents and restored relative calm.

He urged the federal government to make provisions for the identified projects in the 2025 supplementary budget and the 2026 appropriation bill, saying this would signal a firm commitment to rebuilding the region. According to him, the return of contractors to abandoned sites would mark the beginning of real recovery for communities devastated by conflict.

Ndume also encouraged governors of the north-east not to relent in pursuing initiatives that would improve livelihoods, stressing that sustained collaboration and advocacy were key to ensuring the region received the attention it deserved.

The senator’s remarks add to growing calls for balanced infrastructure development across Nigeria, particularly in areas that have borne the brunt of insecurity and economic stagnation.