David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has declared that the government needs approximately N217 billion for the construction of 269 roads throughout Nigeria. He emphasized this during a press briefing following an inspection tour of various regions in Nigeria, where he noted that many ongoing road projects had been halted due to a lack of funds.
Umahi pointed out that issues such as the resurfacing of the third mainland bridge and remedial work underwater were hampered by budget constraints. He mentioned that there were 269 projects requiring immediate attention, but the necessary funds were unavailable. He called for an increase in the ministry's annual budget allocation and urged the National Assembly to return N530 billion allocated for ongoing roads in the 2022 budget.
Expressing concern about the poor condition of some roads in the country, Umahi mentioned his disappointment with the construction quality and supervision in various regions. He questioned the sustainability of ongoing projects and emphasized the need for professionalism in construction methods. The Minister also highlighted the challenges faced in different parts of the country, such as collapsing bridges and deteriorating road infrastructure.