Tinubu Approves ₦16.7bn for Reconstruction of Mokwa Bridge Destroyed by Flood

President Bola Tinubu has approved the sum of ₦16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which was washed away by devastating floods in May 2025.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in Abakaliki on Saturday after a joint briefing with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi. Idris, who is leading a Federal Government delegation on a three-day tour of projects and citizen engagements in the South-East, said the approval reflects the administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.

“We want to thank Mr. President, and we want to thank the Minister of Works. We jointly discussed this and approached Mr. President, who graciously approved it. It means a lot to the people. It’s ₦16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge — a 10-span bridge,” Idris said in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (Media), Rabiu Ibrahim.

He commended Umahi’s swift response in the aftermath of the disaster, noting that experts were immediately deployed to assess the extent of the damage. According to him, the decision to rebuild the bridge will be “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State.”

Senator Umahi, in his remarks, described President Tinubu as a compassionate and listening leader, adding: “The President approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the minister. He graciously approved because of him.”

The Works Minister also highlighted that the latest round of infrastructure approvals spans across the six geo-political zones, including the reconstruction of the washed-away five-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; the Lokoja Bridge; the permanent repair of the Afikpo Bridge linking Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States; the Keffi Flyover; the Jebba Bridge in Kwara; seven bridges in Edo; and another bridge in Kebbi State.

The Mokwa flood disaster claimed more than 150 lives, destroyed 265 buildings, displaced 4,534 people across 458 households, and caused the collapse of five key bridges, including the vital Goodwill Bridge along the Mokwa-Jaba Road.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited the affected communities in June, had earlier announced the President’s approval of ₦2 billion for the reconstruction of homes destroyed in the disaster.