Members of the House of Representatives has voiced their strong criticism of David Umahi, the Minister of Works, for failing to address the deplorable state of roads across Nigeria.
Lawmakers voiced their disappointment, alleging that the minister has no comprehensive plan to improve Nigerian roads, which have become increasingly dangerous and impassable in many areas.
Although Umahi did not attend the hearing, representatives made clear their frustration with what they see as his lack of attention to the issue.
During the session, Bede Obiora, the Director of Bridges in the Ministry of Works, represented Umahi and attributed the poor road conditions to funding constraints. Obiora argued that limited resources are making it challenging to address the road infrastructure crisis across Nigeria.
However, his explanation was met with dissatisfaction from several members of the House of Representatives, who pointed out contradictions between his statement and the ministry’s recent actions.
Oseni, a member representing the Ibarapa/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, voiced his concerns directly, challenging Obiora’s remarks on funding issues. According to Oseni, the ministry has continued to award new road construction contracts, which, he argued, would suggest that resources are available.
Oseni questioned the priorities of the ministry under Umahi’s leadership, suggesting that the funds could be better utilized on urgently needed repairs and upgrades to existing roads.
Oseni said, “We are not here for you to tell us what you already knew in an area of resources. So if you’re telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our rural infrastructures is because of resources, don’t let me take you up there because you concentrated your resources as a Minister on less priority issues. Don’t discuss resources; I say this again.
“Again, all the roads we have across the country have failed. If you’re addressing these existing roads with the resources that you have, Sir, honourable minister, we wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. Don’t discuss resources. I say it again.
“You came here last year and got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am worried that you’re not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads.
“We are not here for the business of whether you don’t want to do the job or you want to do the job. Stop telling us you’re awarding roads. We don’t want you to be awarding roads that you’re not ready to do. How can you be telling us there’s no resources?
“In less than one minute, everything that everybody has said is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation. You have no plan for us as a nation. I was wondering what was used as a benchmark for your appraisal.”
