We need over N16trn to complete inherited road projects – Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has claimed that the Federal Government needs over N16 trillion to enable the ministry complete inherited road projects across the country.

The former governor of Ebonyi State made the disclosure on Thursday when he briefed newsmen on the achievements of the ministry under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the present administration inherited a total of 18,932.50 kilometres of ongoing road projects, with a total of 2,064 contracts.

The minister said that the total value of all the ongoing projects as at May 2023 was N14.42 trillion.

He said that the amount certified was N4.73 trillion; however, N3.12 trillion was paid, and the amount owed contractors for certified works was N1.61 trillion.

“The funding gap to complete all the 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.

“This is due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.

“It is a very sound economic decision by this administration, considering the fact that some of the projects have lingered for between five and eight years.

“Consequently, the projects are being reviewed to match current market realities; this position excludes all the new projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the four legacy projects,’’ Umahi said.

According to him, the old traditional method of funding highway projects was through the annual budgetary provision.

He said, however, that over the years, budget provisions have seemed inadequate to address the challenges of highway development.