Nigerian Roads On Life Support, Requires 18.6trn To Fix – Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi has likened the dilapidated situation of federal roads in Nigeria, to a man on life support machine and estimated that the sum of N18.6 trillion would be needed to fix the roads in the country over the next four years.

Umahi disclosed this during the budget defence for a supplementary budget of N2.1 trillion, which was held at the request of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Bichi.

The minister further stated that the National Assembly must wear its ‘thinking cap’ to urgently address the road issues in the country.

His words: “On the whole, to address our road sector for the next four years, we would be needing about N18.6 trillion and so the National Assembly must have to wear its thinking cap on how we can address seriously our road sector.

“I also appeal to the National Assembly that the Executive to respect your motions on certain interventions. We must have a contingency fund.

“When you ask me to go and intervene on certain roads which have collapsed, and I have to liken the situation to a man on life support. The man needs immediate attention. Where there is an emergency, the road is cut and the people are suffering, movement is stopped, it needs an emergency.

“So, we appeal for contingency to respect your directives on fixing emergency situations.”