The Minister of works, David Umahi has asked the National Assembly to increase the proposed N657.2 billion 2024 budget of the ministry to N1.5 trillion to enable it complete at least 10 selected critical roads and bridges in each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
Umahi made the plea when he appeared before a joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives for budget defence session.
He states that the sum of N534. 4Billion was appropriated to the Ministry of Works and its Parastatals in the 2023 budget.
The Minister explained that, of the total sum of N657.2 billion for the ministry and all its parastatals, the capital expenditure for the main ministry in 2024 is projected at N566.4 billion, while FERMA will receive N51.2 billion.
Senator Umahi also asked the Committees on Works to support a review of all certified debts to contractors.
He says such debts should be converted to promissory notes to contractors to enable the ministry focus on using funds appropriated for the ministry to improve infrastructure across the country.
He explained that as at November 2023 the ministry has an unpaid certificate in the sum of N1. 5 Trillion.
Umahi added that the ministry has generated the sum of N723million from January to November 2023 and remitted it to the consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government.
He stressed that the proposed sums projected for the ministry in 2024 will be used to complete the Lagos-Ibadan expressway which is at 90 percent completion, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, Zaria-Kano Road, 2nd Niger bridge.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
