Minister of Works, David Umahi, found himself in the hot seat during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), facing intense scrutiny over the state of Nigeria’s federal roads.
The committee’s chairman, Representative Remi Oseni, expressed frustration with Umahi’s alleged lack of progress on crucial road infrastructure. Oseni’s remarks, captured on video, conveyed deep concern about the deteriorating road conditions across the nation, questioning Umahi’s continued role as Minister of Works.
The lawmaker bluntly criticized Umahi’s focus, suggesting that the minister’s priorities were misplaced. “You are not here to tell us what we already know in the area of resources,” Oseni said. He rebuffed Umahi’s explanation that inadequate resources were to blame for the failing road infrastructure.
“Don’t discuss resources,” Oseni continued. “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.”
He reminded Umahi of the N300 billion supplementary budget that was approved last year, emphasizing that funding wasn’t the issue. “We are not here for the 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.”
Watch the video below;
https://x.com/TheoAbuAgada/status/1850433114662744294?t=T_1I34XYTitXT16r_ydgiw&s=19
Oseni accused the minister of concentrating efforts on the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, a project estimated to cost N15 trillion, while other vital road projects remain neglected. He described this approach as neglecting the pressing needs of the nation’s road network.
In response, Umahi attempted to attribute the challenges to a shortage of resources but was promptly cut off by Oseni, who stressed that the committee expected results rather than excuses.
