Umahi disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, noting that phase one of Lagos-Calabar Highway would be completed in May 2025, as the government has concluded the payment of compensation, while construction work has commenced.
He regretted that some road constructions have lasted between 11 and 15 years due to paucity of funds, explaining that the President has reviewed them and offered the same to contractors. He assured that no contractor will be treated differently.
He said: “We are prioritising road construction. For example, work on Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road would soon commence. We have only certified projects worth N2 trillion and, henceforth, the President will be the one to commission mega road projects.”
Umahi further explained that constituent projects of the National Assembly constituted eight per cent of the ministry’s budget, adding that they inherited most of the ongoing road construction, which would soon be completed for Nigerians.
“As of today, we have executed over 80 per cent of such projects, and the accumulation of over N250 billion is still outstanding,” he added.
He, therefore, hinted that they have completed new projects, such as bridges, Sagamu Road, and so many road networks. The Works minister said that after the Salah holidays, directors would go around to inaugurate them, considering that they are too much for him.
“From today, mega road projects will be commissioned in every geopolitical zone. We are in a new situation, and we’ll not continue to do things in the way we are used to. So, we have to adopt a new policy, considering the reality on ground,” he remarked.
He emphasised that the President has graciously reviewed their projects, and new prices were offered to contractors based on the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
