Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has criticized the N800 billion allocation for road infrastructure in the 2025 budget, calling it insufficient to meet the country’s pressing road development needs.
During the budget defense session on Friday, organized by the House Committee on Works, Umahi appealed to lawmakers for a reconsideration of the proposed allocation. He emphasized that the amount was far from enough to address the vast infrastructure challenges across the nation.
“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, so we appeal for your assistance,” Umahi stated, urging the committee to look into increasing the funding for road projects.
The minister pointed out that the current allocation would not suffice to complete ongoing projects or initiate new ones. He stressed that many road projects are still incomplete due to insufficient funding.
Umahi further noted that in times of economic downturn, borrowing to fund infrastructure development is a necessary step to stimulate economic recovery. “When the nation is in recession, borrowing to invest in infrastructure is essential. That’s how you come out of a recession,” he said, highlighting the role of infrastructure in revitalizing the economy.
He also explained that investments in infrastructure would not only improve road networks but also have a positive impact on various sectors, including food vendors, sand suppliers, and other stakeholders who rely on improved transportation.
In response, the Committee Chairman, Akin Alabi, assured Umahi that he would summon Finance Minister Wale Edun and the Head of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakub, to address the concerns regarding the low allocation for road infrastructure in the proposed budget.
For more updates, join our WhatsApp channel: [Chronicles Reporters](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VabITrvE