Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has stopped funding its tax‑credit road projects nationwide. He made the disclosure during a project inspection in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.
Despite the funding halt, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the ministry to complete all inherited projects from the NNPCL tax‑credit scheme. Umahi emphasized this instruction while inspecting the ongoing dualisation of the East‑West Road, specifically Section IIIA, which runs from Eleme Junction in Port Harcourt to Onne Junction in Rivers State.
The minister added that contracts valued at less than N20 billion for Federal Government‑funded projects will be awarded to local contractors, in line with Nigeria’s local‑content policy. The federal government intends to prioritise the most significant aspects of the NNPCL tax‑credit projects across the country, focusing on critical works within the national economic corridor.
Umahi explained that the Ministry of Works has compiled a list of all NNPCL‑inherited tax‑credit projects and presented it to President Tinubu, who instructed that work on these projects should not be halted. Instead, the ministry will prioritise them, concentrating on the most critical ones that affect the national economy. This decision underscores the government’s commitment to completing strategic infrastructure initiatives despite funding challenges.
By concentrating on essential projects within the national economic corridor, the government aims to ensure that vital infrastructure development continues, supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and development. As the ministry proceeds with completing the inherited tax‑credit projects, monitoring progress and addressing emerging challenges will be crucial. Successful completion will not only enhance Nigeria’s infrastructure but also contribute to the country’s overall economic development, drawing close attention from stakeholders and citizens alike.
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