State of Nigerian roads frustrating — Works Minister

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has stated that fixing Nigeria’s dilapidated roads can be frustrating due to the lack of adequate funding.

Senator Umahi made this declaration on Friday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, speaking to journalists shortly after a session with the Senate Committee on Works.

The Minister of Works, who stated that N18 trillion would be needed to repair federal highways, mentioned that the allocation for his ministry in the 2025 Appropriation Bill would not be sufficient.

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He said, “I have not failed in many of my life engagements, but I am feeling frustrated with fixing roads in Nigeria with funds that are not at all tangible for what is required. This is why special funds, in the form of loans, are needed to address road infrastructure in the country.”

“Remember, the President inherited 2,064 projects, totaling N13 trillion in 2023. If you review those projects in line with current market realities, it should be close to N18 trillion.”

“So, when the President, who is an economist, who has experienced all the segments of what we are going through, makes efforts to borrow money for these projects, the public challenges his actions.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling the National Assembly, and we are now on the same page. We have to borrow money to fix the roads.”

“The roads, when fixed, are a catalyst for economic growth. They also eliminate hunger because road infrastructure activities create a lot of economic activity.”

“Those who are selling sand, rocks, and other materials will benefit. There will be a lot of activity. So, we need to give this issue attention and encourage the President to borrow money.”

“He (President Bola Tinubu) cannot manufacture money. He must be encouraged.”

“You say he’s trying to steal your money, that’s very discouraging. Road infrastructure cannot be fixed through the yearly budget alone. It must receive substantial attention.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Mpigi Barinada, agreed with the Minister of Works’ observation that the nation’s road infrastructure requires significant funding to be effectively addressed.

He said, “We can see that these projects are very large, and we must explore other ways to secure funds to ensure these projects can be delivered to the people.”

“Sometimes when people see the National Assembly asking for projects in their communities, it is not because the National Assembly wants to put a project in their house.”