From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, yesterday, said the N800 billion allocated to his ministry in the 2025 Appropriation Bill cannot address the road infrastructure needs in the country.
Umahi stated this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Works to defend the 2025 budget proposal of his ministry. He appealed to the lawmakers for an increase in the budgetary allocation to the ministry.
According to him, his ministry needs more funding to be able to complete ongoing road projects, as well as initiate new ones in the country. He stated that the scope of road projects the ministry intends to undertake cannot be achieved with the “meagre budget allocation.
“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, and so we plead with you to help us, “ Umahi begged.
He added “when the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and invest in infrastructure. That is how you emerge from a recession. Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic activities, and this hunger we talk about will become a thing of the past.
“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel workers, and others will benefit. Support Mr. President, and let’s borrow money to build infrastructure so Nigeria can be great again. “