The House of Representatives has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the country’s worsening road network.
Lawmakers voiced their concerns during a hearing, citing Umahi’s apparent lack of concern for fixing Nigeria’s roads.
The Ministry’s Director of Bridges, Bede Obiora, attributed the poor road conditions to funding constraints, according to Daily Post.
However, Representative Oseni from Oyo State disputed this claim, pointing out that the ministry continues to award new road contracts despite alleged resource limitations.
Oseni emphasized that Umahi’s priorities are misplaced, having received a N300 billion supplementary budget approval last year.
The lawmaker questioned the minister’s focus on less critical issues while neglecting the country’s pressing road infrastructure needs.
Umahi’s absence from the hearing further fueled lawmakers’ frustration.
They demanded a clear plan and benchmark for evaluating the minister’s performance, expressing worries about Umahi’s ability to address the country’s road network challenges.
The Federal Ministry of Works has initiated some projects, but lawmakers seek more comprehensive solutions. The hearing highlighted the need for improved accountability and prioritization in addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficiencies.
This development underscores the ongoing tensions between the legislative and executive branches over the country’s infrastructure development. As the 2024 budget approaches, lawmakers are expected to scrutinize allocations for critical sectors like infrastructure.
“We are not here for you to tell us what you already knew in an area of resources. So if you’re telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our rural infrastructures is because of resources, don’t let me take you up there because you concentrated your resources as a Minister on less priority issues. Don’t discuss resources; I say this again.
“Again, all the roads we have across the country have failed. If you’re addressing these existing roads with the resources that you have, Sir, honourable minister, we wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. Don’t discuss resources. I say it again.
“You came here last year and got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am worried that you’re not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads.
“We are not here for the business of whether you don’t want to do the job or you want to do the job. Stop telling us you’re awarding roads. We don’t want you to be awarding roads that you’re not ready to do. How can you be telling us there’s no resources?
“In less than one minute, everything that everybody has said is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation. You have no plan for us as a nation. I was wondering what was used as a benchmark for your appraisal.”
