By Michael Agbaji
The Minister of Works Senator David Umahi has decried lack of Funds as the reason frustrating the ministry of Works in fixing Nigeria roads due to meagre yearly budgetary provisions .
The Minister stated this at the National Assembly in Abuja during 2025 budget defence of ministry of Works. According to him, additional funds are required to complement the budgetary provisions in form of loans.
“I’ve not failed in many of my life engagements but I’m feeling frustrated in fixing the roads in Nigeria with funds that are not in any way, tangible for what is required.”
“The reason why special funds in form of loans is needed to be taken for road infrastructure in the country.”
He recalled how President Tinubu inherited 2,064 projects, totaling N13 trillions says if reviewed, the project in line with the market realities now, it should be close to N18 trillions.
He further said. “President Tinubu who is an economist,has gone through all the segments of what we’re passing through, by reason of his experiences, and is making efforts to borrow money to do these projects, then the public will be doubting our knowledge.”he said.
According to him,roads, when fixed, are catalysts to economic growth. And they also eliminates hunger. Because road infrastructure activities create a lot of economic activities
He said “those who are selling sand, chippings, mamaput, rocks, and so on and so forth will be busy with a lot of activities,so we need to encourage Mr. President to borrow money.”
“President cannot manufacture money he has to be encouraged because a man is trying to put money in your pocket.You say he’s trying to steal your money that’s very discouraging so road infrastructure cannot be fixed by mere yearly budgetary provisions special attention has to be given.”
Responding,Chairman Senate committee on Works, Senate Mpigi Barinaga sympathizing with the Minister,commended him for making use of the meagre budgetary allocations and concurred to his suggestion for alternative funding of road infrastructure across the country.
The committee specifically declared that N827billion proposed allocation for the Ministry for road fixing in 2025 is insignificant to enormous works on ground .
Promise to look into the request and make a recommendation were necessary.
