Ndume Calls for Special Presidential Priority Projects in North-East …Urges Inclusion in 2025 Supplementary and 2026 Budgets

By our Correspondent

Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government to initiate Special Presidential Priority Projects in the North-East to tackle the region’s deep-rooted infrastructural challenges.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the appeal in a personally signed statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Friday. His call followed Wednesday’s visit by the six North-East governors to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

Special Presidential Priority Projects are large-scale national infrastructure programmes considered of urgent importance, requiring dedicated focus and resources beyond routine government operations.

At the Villa meeting, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum—who chairs the North-East Governors’ Forum—highlighted 17 critical road projects that have been abandoned for decades. These include the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri Railway Line, Bama-Mubi-Yola Road, Wukari-Jalingo-Yola Road, Duguri-Mansur Road (NNPC project ongoing), Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Damaturu Road, Damaturu-Geidam Road, Bauchi-Ningi-Nasaru-Babaldo Road, and Gombe-Potiskum-Damaturu-Biu Roads.

Other roads listed were Alkaleri-Futuk Road, Maiduguri-Damboa-Yola Road, Gombe-Dukku-Darazo Road, Biu-Gombe Road, Ibi-Shamdam Road, Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga Road, and Maiduguri-Ngala-Bama-Banki Roads. The governors also urged the Federal Government to resume oil exploration in frontier wells, particularly in Kolmani and Lake Chad.

Commending the governors for their collective push, Ndume stressed that the North-East deserved special attention, noting that infrastructure across the six states had suffered neglect for more than 15 years due to insurgency.

The lawmaker appealed to President Tinubu to capture the region’s infrastructural needs in both the 2025 Supplementary Budget and the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

“Fifteen years down the line, there hasn’t been any meaningful infrastructural development in the North-East as it has been ravaged by insurgency. In view of this, I suggest that the present administration give priority to the region and make provision for its urgent infrastructural needs in the 2025 Supplementary Budget,” Ndume stated.

He added that with the military having regained lost territories, contractors could now safely resume projects.

Ndume further urged the North-East governors to sustain initiatives that would improve the quality of life for citizens in the region.