Joel Ajayi 

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahihas hit back at the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Remi Oseni who accused him of mispriority as Minister highlighted landslide road progress across the country, saying that  some projects, ongoing for 17-20 years, cannot be completed overnight.

Record have that,  during an interactive session on Thursday Oseni berated Umahi as he (Oseni) accused of Work Minister focusing on funds, while neglecting what should be his priorities.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, Umahi attributed his success to President Bola Tinubu’s support, highlighting the President’s unprecedented move to include all ongoing projects in the 2024 budget.

Minister said that he inherited 2,604 projects with a total cost of 13 trillion and a debt of 1.6 trillion to contractors as of May 29, 2023.

Umahi said that he inherited 2,604 projects with a total cost of 13 trillion and a debt of 1.6 trillion to contractors as of May 29, 2023.

He said that ministry under his watch has  achieved over 85 per cent completion of road projects, adding that the President approved 300 billion for palliatives, resulting in the procurement and execution of more than 330 road projects, palliatives, and bridge repairs.

He said that considering variations due to subsidy removal and dollar fluctuations, the total project cost now exceeded 19 trillion.

He said there were notable improvements in the Northwest, such as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, and completion of roads in states like Zamfara, Lagos, and regions like South-South and South-West.

Speaking on the accusations from the Chairman House Committee on Works, Umahi expressed: “you are not here to tell us what we already know in the area of resources. So, if you are telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our road infrastructure is because of resources don’t let me take you up on that because you concentrated your energy as a minister on less priority issues.

“Don’t discuss resources. All the roads that we have across the country have failed. If you are addressing the existing roads with the resources that you have, Hon minister, we will not be where we are. Don’t discuss resources.

“Last year, you got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am worried that you are not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads. We are not here for business of whether you want to do the job or you don’t want to do the job. Stop telling us you are awarding road contracts. We don’t want you to be awarding roads that you are not ready to do. How can you be telling us that there are no resources? With what everybody (lawmakers) has said, it is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation.”

Umahi said Oseni had not attained half of what he has achieved in life.

He said he would not join issues with the lawmaker out of the respect he has for the Speaker of House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

The minister said: “His (Oseni) accusations at this  time is very damaging to the wonderful institution of the National Assembly, especially the 10th National Assembly. For the respect of Mr Speaker and of course the Senate President and the National Assembly institution that I belong to, I will refrain myself from joining issues with him.”

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