Tinubu Minister Faces Scrutiny Over ₦16.5B Taraba Bridge Funds

Documents obtained by SaharaReporters reveal a brewing controversy over the handling of the collapsed Namnai Bridge reconstruction project along the Jalingo–Wukari Road in Taraba State.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) initially approved ₦16.5 billion for the urgent rebuilding of the bridge following its collapse in August 2024. However, sources indicate that the funds were allegedly diverted to a 43.5 km access road, without proper FEC approval.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that after the bridge collapse, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, visited the site alongside the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC). Despite mobilization of heavy-duty machinery, no visible progress was made, prompting growing concern among residents.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, subsequently prepared an emergency reconstruction proposal for the bridge, which FEC approved. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) issued a no-objection certificate, and the contract was formally awarded on September 10, 2025.

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Shockingly, before contractors could mobilize, a second award letter was issued on October 28, 2025, to the same contractor, this time for the construction of the 43.5 km access road leading to the collapsed bridge—still under the original ₦16.5 billion allocation. Sources have questioned the legality of this diversion, emphasizing that no approval in Nigeria supersedes FEC.

A source said, “What we heard reliably is that the Minister of State for Regional Development Uba Maigari Ahmadu went to the Minister of Works and even wrote a letter that NEDC has awarded the bridge contract. Hence why the other award came up for the access road, but that is illegal because it has not gone back to FEC for approval.”

The controversy deepened following allegations that the Minister allegedly secured a court order for the arrest of Taraba-based civic advocate Abdulmumuni Imam, who had criticized the government’s handling of the project. While initial reports indicated that security agencies were mobilized against Imam, Ministerial aides have publicly denied any involvement, stating that Ahmadu welcomes public scrutiny and would never endorse actions against critics.

Nevertheless, Imam’s lawyer confirmed that the Federal High Court issued an arrest warrant, accusing the activist of defaming the Minister and misleading the public regarding the ₦16.5 billion allocated for the bridge reconstruction.

In response to the ongoing allegations, Jamila M. Indabawa, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Minister Maigari Ahmadu, said the Minister had opted to take the matter through legal channels to protect his reputation and legacy rather than engage in a social media dispute.

The Namnai Bridge controversy highlights growing concerns over accountability, transparency, and the legal propriety of federal contract awards in Nigeria’s infrastructure projects.