The Minister for Works, Senator David Umahi, has reiterated the current administration's dedication to improving road infrastructure across all 36 states of Nigeria. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, Umahi expressed personal accountability for the state of federal roads nationwide, acknowledging past failures while outlining a clear path forward.
During the engagement, focused on the alignment of the Ondo State 63km segment of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Umahi emphasized the highway's critical role in fostering economic development for the region and the nation at large. “Upon assuming office, we discovered that President Bola Tinubu inherited 20,604 projects totaling N13 trillion, with contractors owed N1.6 trillion for completed jobs,” he noted.
Umahi highlighted the urgency of completing these long-standing projects, many of which have lingered for years. “The President is committed to fixing these projects within 14 months, and I will take responsibility if we fail to meet this timeline.”
Umahi stressed the importance of timely payments to contractors, referring to the Procurement Act’s stipulations regarding mobilization fees. He vowed to ensure no project is abandoned going forward, stating, “We have already terminated over ten contracts with large firms, and we are prepared to terminate more if they do not take their responsibilities seriously.” He emphasized that the government’s books are transparent and open for scrutiny.
The minister outlined an ambitious timeline, promising that all federal highways would be motorable by Christmas. He also announced plans to commence the Aiyetoro project after the upcoming elections. “Nigerians should be grateful to have a listening president committed to all sectors of the economy,” Umahi remarked.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa praised Tinubu's initiative regarding the coastal highway, emphasizing its non-political nature and its benefits to the region. He expressed gratitude for the federal government’s ongoing support for various projects.
Additionally, Mr. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, commended both the president and the minister for their efforts. He asserted, “We are committed to ensuring that contractors who do not fulfill their obligations do not receive payment. This is vital to ending the cycle of contractors collecting money without delivering results.”
With these declarations, the Tinubu administration aims to transform Nigeria's road network into a reliable and efficient infrastructure, fostering economic growth and development throughout the country.