Umahi says FG will fund N5.1tn of inherited road projects

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said on Tuesday that the government of President Bola Tinubu would fund about N5.1 trillion of leftover road projects from the immediate past administration of ex-president Muhammadu Buhari.

He made this statement while speaking to State House journalists in Abuja after a meeting with the president.

According to Umahi, the Buhari administration earmarked about 18,897 kilometers of road projects totalling N14 trillion, which the Tinubu administration inherited.

He said that by the initiative of President Tinubu, the government was sure of funding about N5.1 trillion of these projects, leaving a gap of N6 trillion.

He added that this gap was based on the situation as of May 29, 2023, and that it could increase due to price variations and scope changes.

He expressed his concern that the government might not be able to complete even 20 per cent of the ongoing road projects if these factors were not controlled.

“The truth is that the past government earmarked a number of roads, which Mr. President inherited, close to 18,897 kilometers of road totalling N14 trillion. By the mechanism of funding, by the initiative of our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are sure of funding of about N5.1 trillion then leaving N6 trillion gaps. And this N6 trillion funding gap is as May 29, 2023. And so if we go by the level of augmentation and price increases, which is one of the basis of our fight, if there is anything like a fight, it is that we don’t have N6 trillion to complete this project based on what we heard.

“And if we allow the escalation both in terms of scope and in terms of variation of price, then we are very sure that we will not be able to complete even 20% of the present roads going on,” he said.

He also said that there were some contractors who had initiated a campaign against him and his ministry in order to ensure the country continued to work in the old ways that placed the country backward. He said that he was determined to change the status quo and improve the quality and efficiency of the road projects.

“But let me clarify a number of issues especially for the benefit of Nigerians and our stakeholders. There have been a kind of campaign by some quick fix contractors and some elements you know, within who do not wish us well, who want us to continue with the old order.

“But we can’t continue to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. The truth is that our roads are not good,” he said.