Says works ministry is committed to constructing durable roads
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, in his avowed determination to improve road infrastructure, has said that although the ministry remains unwaveringly committed, it will not propose new projects for the 2025 fiscal year, in order to exponentially reduce, the number of abandoned projects, unless, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, directs otherwise.
Umahi said this, during a media briefing to mark his first year in office, on Thursday, 22nd of August, in Abuja.
The Minister, in his disclosure of some of the ongoing projects and plans, said that “we at Ministry of works are determined to construct durable roads, not roads that we will construct and it will go down in five (5) years.
He thereafter, said that the ministry is constrained in taking up new projects, in the light of the current realities. Explaining that, “Right now, we have over 4,000 ongoing projects, with a funding gap of N16 trillion, in which most of them were inherited by this administration.
Stating further that, “the present administration inherited a total of 18, 932.50 Km of ongoing projects (roads) with a total of 2,064 number of contracts.
“And the value of inherited ongoing projects is N14, 424 trillion. Of this amount, N4.734 trillion was certified and the amount paid is N3.122 trillion, while the amount owed contractors for certified works is N1.612 trillion.
“The funding gap to complete all inherited projects is about N13 trillion as at May, 2023 and will be more than N16 trillion, when all projects are reviewed in line with current market realities. As some of the projects were awarded when the Naira exchanged for N150 to $1 USD.”
The Minister further explained that inflation has contributed significantly to the rising cost of most of these projects and it would be in the nation’s best interest to ensure the completion of most, of not all ongoing projects.
Umahi reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises in order to leave Nigeria better than he met it.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Umahi said, “i sympathize deeply with the Government and people of Jigawa State, over the loss of lives due to severe flooding occasioned by climate change.
“I also sympathize with Bauchi State Government over the failed portions of some sections of the Kano-Maiduguri dual Carriageway”
The Permanent Secretary, of the federal Ministry of works, Dr. Yakubu A. Kofarmata, in his closing remarks, thanked the Minister for his hard work and dedication and the President, bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his drive and efforts. He also thanked the media persons, saying that, the work been done by the Ministry will not be known if not for their reportage and help.
