Umahi: FG Can No Longer Fund All Ongoing Road Projects

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi has stated that the federal government can no longer fund all on going projects in the country at the same time.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Umahi said he had been directed by President Bola Ahmed to review all projects in the country to decide those that would be given priority.

The minister, while stating the government was not considering dumping projects it inherited, clarified that projects that will be considered for funding would have reached 80 per cent completion.

“The Federal Executive Council has directed we should review the projects to availability of funds and make proposals to FEC. If such a project has attained about 80 per cent of completion, then we will make proposal to it for subsequent appropriation. When this money is made available, such project will be made a priority so that it will be completed. That is what we are going to do. The president has not stepped down any project.

“On the issue of new projects, if we have appropriation that has not completed, at least, one kilometer, we are not going to carry out such appropriation. That is what FEC is concerned about. We can’t have N500m on budget but procurement is supposed to be N50bn or N100bn and you go ahead to award such a project. We have been directed not to do so.”

He added that contractors that are not ready to accept the new terms should terminate the contract.

He also decried the politicisation of road projects where lawmakers were only cocorned with citing projects in their communities even when the government did not have the funds to construct them.

“There is a political angle award of contract where we have politicians putting the ministry under pressure just to tell their constituency or community that project has been awarded.

“If we continue like this, we are just helping the contractor as the money we have is not enough and when you give it to them, they will pocket it and do nothing.”