Tinubu Govt Inherited Over 2,600 Road Projects – Minister
POLITICS DIGEST- Minister of Works, David Umahi, has responded to recent criticisms from Remi Oseni, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), who accused him of misplaced priorities in handling road infrastructure.
During an interactive session on Thursday, Oseni criticized the minister over the poor condition of roads nationwide
The lawmaker said, “All the roads across the country have failed. If you were addressing these roads with the resources at your disposal, we would not be where we are today. Last year, you received N300 billion in supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am concerned that you are not focused on fixing Nigerian roads.”
In a press briefing on Monday detailing the Ministry’s achievements over the past 18 months, Umahi defended his approach, explaining that large-scale infrastructure projects require careful planning, including environmental assessments and government approvals, to ensure long-lasting results.
He argued that rushing projects would compromise quality, leading to recurring road failures.
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“It’s unrealistic to expect projects that have been in the works for 20, 18, or even 17 years to be completed in a single year. Mr. Oseni, who claims to be an engineer, should understand the complexities involved in the Ministry of Works. It’s not as straightforward as procuring fertilizers for constituency projects,” Umahi stated.
He highlighted that President Bola Tinubu inherited over 2,600 road projects worth an estimated 13 trillion Naira on May 29, 2023. Due to inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies, the cost is expected to rise to 19 trillion Naira.
“These projects were all inherited. Our total budget for 2024 is about 650 billion Naira. We allocated over 90% of this to sustain these inherited projects, as directed by Mr. President. For those disappointed by the lack of new projects awarded to them, this is the reality we face,” Umahi added.
The minister further invited Oseni to an open debate to clarify any misunderstandings regarding engineering processes and project management.
He expressed frustration over what he described as baseless criticisms, pointing out that large-scale construction projects should not be compared to simpler constituency procurements.
Umahi also called for a cooperative relationship between the Ministry of Works and the National Assembly.
He emphasized the importance of conducting thorough investigations before making public accusations, reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to working openly with oversight committees.
However, he warned that excessive or unfounded criticism could hinder progress on national infrastructure projects.
