Reps panel to Umahi: You have no plan to fix deplorable roads — your priorities misplaced

The house of representatives committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has berated David Umahi, minister of works, over the state of roads across the country. 

During an interactive session on Thursday, Remi Oseni, chairman of the committee, claimed that Umahi is getting his priorities wrong.

Addressing the committee, Umahi attributed the deplorable state of roads to a dearth of resources. The minister was represented by Bede Obiora, director of bridges and design at the ministry.

The committee chairman disagreed with the minister, stating that funding is not the problem.

“You are not here to tell us what we already know in the area of resources,” Oseni said.

“So, if you are telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our road infrastructure is because of resources — don’t let me take you up on that because you concentrated your energy as a minister on less priority issues.

“Don’t discuss resources. 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. Don’t discuss resources.

“Last year, you got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am worried that you are not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads.

“We are not here for 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.

“We don’t want you to be awarding roads that you are not ready to do. How can you be telling us that there are no resources? With what everybody (lawmakers) has said, it is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation.”

Umahi has remained laser-focused on the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway which is estimated to cost N15 trillion.