The National Assembly has approved an increase in the budget allocation for the Ministry of Works, raising it from N657.3 billion to N1.03 trillion. This represents a significant 56.7% increase from the proposed amount in the appropriation bill and a substantial 65.4% surge from the previous year’s approved budget.
The Ministry of Works is tasked with the critical responsibility of managing repairs and maintenance of over 33,000 kilometers of federal government roads across Nigeria. The approved budget reflects a notable rise in the capital budget from N617.9 billion to N987.3 billion, accompanied by the introduction of several new capital projects.
An analysis of the approved budget reveals the allocation of funds for various infrastructure projects across the country. Notable among these allocations are N94.83 billion for the construction of Lafia road and the dualisation of 9th Mile (Enugu) Otukpo-Makurdi (Keffi Phase II) road project, N15 billion for the construction of Ota-Idiroko road section one to three, N4 billion for the construction of Iyin-Ilawe Ekiti road section one to three, and N13.5 billion for the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt road section two and four.
Additionally, significant sums have been earmarked for projects such as the dualisation of the Benin-Ilesha road, construction of Malando-Garin-Baka-Ngaski-Wara road in Kebbi State, construction of Koko-Besse-Zaria-Kala Kala road in Kebbi State, dualisation of Aba-Ikot Ekpene road, repair of the Iganmu bridge, and the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section.
The budget also includes provisions for the dualisation and construction of Kano-Kwanar Dauja Hadejia road, reconstruction of Amasiri-Uburu-Mpu-Ishiagu road, and the provision of culverts and drains at flood-prone areas in the South-West. Additionally, N3.35 billion has been allocated for the purchase of vehicles for consultants and security supervision.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has assured Nigerians of a road infrastructure revolution. During the budget defense, he urged the National Assembly to increase the ministry’s 2024 budget to approximately N1.5 trillion, emphasizing the need to complete critical roads and bridges across all six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
Umahi has set ambitious targets, challenging contractors to complete 150km of roads in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2024. He believes that achieving this goal, in addition to other special projects, will mark a significant step forward in enhancing Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
With the escalated budgetary allocation and the Minister’s ambitious targets, expectations are high for visible progress in road infrastructure across Nigeria. The onus is now on the Ministry of Works to deliver on its promises, meeting the aspirations of the Nigerian populace for improved and durable roads.
