FG needs N18.6tn to fix roads in four years – Umahi

FG needs N18.6tn to fix roads in four years – Umahi

The Federal Government will need N18.6tn to fix problems associated with the nation’s major roads in the next four years, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said.

Umahi spoke when he appeared before House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation to defend the N300bn for the ministry in the N2.17tn supplementary budget.

The minister called for contingency funds to enable the ministry to deal with emergency situations on the nation’s roads.

He stressed the use of concrete roads, maintain that it is less expensive and more durable.

“On the whole, to address our road sector for four years, we would need about N18.6tn, so the National Assembly must wear its thinking cap on how we can address our road sector.

“I appeal to the National Assembly that the Executive should respect your motions on certain interventions.

“We must have a contingency fund. When you ask me to go and intervene on certain roads which have collapsed, I have to liken the situation to a man on life support. The man needs immediate attention.

“Where there is an emergency, the road is cut and the people are suffering; movement is stopped. It needs an emergency. So, we appeal for contingency to respect your directives on fixing emergency situations,” Umahi said.