The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to uphold the quality of roads across all 36 states in Nigeria.
During a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, Umahi emphasized that despite the challenges faced, the government remains focused on transforming its resources into tangible benefits for citizens.
Umahi’s comments came as part of discussions surrounding the alignment of the 63-kilometre segment of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. He highlighted the highway’s significant role in enhancing economic growth for the states it connects and for Nigeria as a whole.
Acknowledging past shortcomings in federal road infrastructure, Umahi stated, “As of May 29, 2023, Tinubu inherited 20,604 projects totaling N13 trillion, with contractors owed N1.6 trillion for completed work.” He expressed confidence that these projects could be completed within 14 months and accepted full responsibility for any failures related to road construction.
He stressed the importance of timely payments to contractors and outlined his ministry’s proactive approach to ensuring no projects are abandoned. “We have terminated over ten contracts with major companies and are prepared to terminate more if necessary,” he stated. He assured that all federal roads will be made motorable by Christmas.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State praised Tinubu’s initiative regarding the coastal highway and expressed his support for cooperation between state and federal governments on this project. Additionally, Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, commended both the President and the Minister for their dedication to improving Nigeria’s road infrastructure and eliminating contractor fraud.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project is expected to significantly enhance trade and tourism while reducing travel times between key economic zones. It represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure that aims to stimulate economic growth and improve living standards across the nation.
