Abuja: The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure, assuring that road projects are being executed with due process, transparency, and long-term economic value in mind. Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja, Umahi emphasized the central role of road development in the nation’s economic recovery.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Umahi noted that the scale of road construction under Tinubu’s administration is vast, making it challenging to list all projects in a single briefing. He detailed an extensive rollout of federal road and bridge projects across the country, emphasizing road infrastructure as a crucial element for Nigeria’s economic recovery and national integration.
Umahi outlined four major legacy projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Trans-Saharan Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Expressway. These projects, among others, underscore the Federal Government’s presence across every region.
He highlighted that every route is critical to the nation’s infrastructure network, emphasizing that President Tinubu’s administration has prioritized roads as a catalyst for GDP growth, ensuring no region is excluded from current infrastructure developments. There are significant road works ongoing in the South-East, North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-South, and South-West, linking regions, supporting trade, and restoring confidence in public infrastructure.
Umahi also pointed out that reinforced concrete pavement is now being adopted on major highways to ensure durability, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance local content by using locally sourced materials. He reiterated that roads are investments that unlock commerce, reduce travel time, and create jobs.
The minister highlighted reforms in project supervision and procurement, which include daily digital monitoring, independent media supervisors, and on-site verification by anti-corruption agencies to ensure transparency and value for money. He noted that the Federal Government is leveraging public-private partnerships and international financing, with Nigeria often contributing about 30 percent counterpart funding.
Umahi urged political leaders and critics to be constructive and factual in their assessments. He maintained that the current administration has laid a solid foundation for national integration through infrastructure, and ongoing projects will significantly ease transportation challenges and boost economic activities once completed.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, called on Nigerians to acknowledge the achievements recorded under the president’s administration, particularly in infrastructure development. He praised the president for his dedication to national development and unity.
Goronyo emphasized that President Tinubu’s initiatives are a testament to his vision for the country’s development and urged Nigerians to appreciate the scale of ongoing projects. He commended the president for his commitment and love for the nation, emphasizing the transformative impact of these infrastructure projects.