The Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, has assured that the Federal Government is committed to addressing the accumulated road infrastructural needs of the country as that would contribute progressively to the reinvigoration of the national and sub-national economies.
This was contained in the message of the Hon. Minister of Works during the courtesy visit of the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, His Excellency, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja on 11th March 2024.
The Minister said that holistic attention is being given to the Federal roads in all the States of the Federation by Mr. President, and this could be seen in the numerous road projects going on in the country under the administration.
“In all honesty, the roads are very terrible. But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now, you will see a lot of commitment by Mr. President, not just on that stretch…, but all over the country. That’s why he directed that I must visit all the States and all the projects.”
He assured the Governors that the Ministry would look at the funding mechanism to kick-start the project once approved by Mr. President, as it is not contemplated by the budget.
“And so, for coming and you had discussed this project with Mr. President, he does not joke with the welfare of Nigerians. He’s one person that is infrastructure committed right from when he was Governor. Even on his own personal businesses, you’ll see the development of infrastructure. So, he’s very much interested. He understands that the road is everything in this country. It will improve security, improve agriculture, improve commerce and so on and so forth.”
Speaking on behalf of the Governors that visited, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said the purpose of their visit was to bring the condition of the Ilorin-Lokoja road to the attention of the Federal Government for possible intervention, adding that the road, which also stretches to Markurdi, Gboko up to the Republic of Benin, is key not only to the enhancement of the economy, but also to the development of solid mineral and agriculture in Nigeria.
He expressed delight in the abundant interventions of Mr. President on road infrastructure across the nation and hoped that with the outcome of their meeting, the Federal Government would look into ways and means to fund the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization.
He stated, “The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization of the Federal Highway. And it’s a very major important road, which is not just an economic road, it is a belt of solid minerals in Nigeria and agricultural belt. So that road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce, agriculture.”
