Kehinde Fajobi
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has described the ₦800 billion allocated to his ministry in the 2025 budget proposal as insufficient to address Nigeria’s road infrastructure challenges.
Speaking on Friday during the House Committee on Works’ budget defence session, Umahi said, “We plead with you to help us. ₦800bn cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, so we appeal for your assistance.”
The former Ebonyi State governor urged the committee, chaired by Akin Alabi, to increase funding to allow the ministry to complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones nationwide.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Umahi noted that the current allocation would do little to resolve the backlog of unfinished projects.
He also advocated borrowing as a strategic solution to address the infrastructure deficit.
“When the nation is in recession, borrowing to invest in infrastructure is essential. That’s how you come out of a recession. Infrastructure acts as a catalyst for economic activities, and it will alleviate the hunger we are talking about.
“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel suppliers, and others will all benefit. Support Mr President, and let’s borrow money to develop infrastructure so that Nigeria can become great again,” he said.
During the session, Umahi fielded questions about the state of the country’s roads, reaffirming the government’s commitment to completing ongoing projects.
In response, Akin Alabi, the committee chairman, assured the minister that they would summon the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Head of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakub, to explain the rationale behind the ministry’s budget allocation.