Dave Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has disclosed that the country needs an estimated N18 trillion to tackle its road infrastructure challenges. He revealed this during a briefing with journalists on Friday after presenting the ministry’s 2025 budget estimates to the Senate Committee on Works.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The federal government allocated N827 billion to the Ministry of Works in the 2025 budget, an amount Umahi described as insufficient. According to him, the current administration inherited 2,064 projects valued at N13 trillion in 2023. However, adjusting these projects to reflect current market realities increases the cost to N18 trillion.
Umahi emphasized the necessity of loans to bridge the funding gap, explaining that road infrastructure development is vital for economic growth. “Fixing our roads will catalyze economic activities, reduce hunger, and benefit everyone, from laborers to suppliers,” he said. He urged Nigerians to support the government’s borrowing efforts, noting that annual budget allocations alone cannot resolve the infrastructure deficit.
The minister admitted his frustration with the limited funds, stating, “I’ve not failed in many life engagements, but fixing roads in Nigeria with insufficient funds is challenging. Special funds or loans are essential for progress.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Mpigi Barinada, acknowledged the severity of the funding gap. He called for exploring alternative funding options to complete the vast infrastructure projects, reiterating that addressing road deficits is essential to national development.
This revelation underscores the urgent need for substantial investments to address Nigeria’s mounting infrastructure demands.
