Abuja: The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced on Tuesday that APC state chairmen have been enlisted to monitor and evaluate road projects across Nigeria to enhance service delivery. This decision was disclosed during a courtesy visit by members of the Forum of All Progressives Congress to his office in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Umahi emphasized the necessity of this initiative as the government aims to boost infrastructure development nationwide. He highlighted the importance of objective oversight for road projects, stating that APC chairmen would play a crucial role in ensuring proper execution and maximizing national benefits. A communication platform is also planned to facilitate seamless information exchange between parties involved.
Umahi expressed commitment to completing all projects and encouraged collaboration from the APC chairmen. He stated his desire for them to join him during site visits and to keep him informed, acknowledging their sacrifices during the election. Additionally, he noted President Bola Tinubu’s directive to involve the party’s leadership in developmental efforts.
The Minister praised the chairmen for supporting the Renewed Hope mandate and urged them to offer similar support to other ministers to showcase their efforts. He affirmed the APC-led government’s dedication to delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians. Umahi mentioned President Tinubu’s initiatives to boost the economy, such as promoting local content and discouraging unnecessary imports, and revealed ongoing projects in almost all states across the country.
Umahi provided details on the scope of projects, mentioning that President Tinubu inherited 2,604 projects valued at around ?13 trillion, with contractors owed nearly ?1 trillion. After reviewing the situation, inflation and subsidy removal raised the total cost to ?19 trillion for completion. The Minister noted that 440 key projects along economic corridors were prioritized, with 65 new initiatives, including four legacy bridges, already underway. Projects in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara are ongoing, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road is nearing completion. Furthermore, a contract worth ?754 billion was awarded for the Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road.
Goronyo, the Minister of State for Works, commended President Tinubu for appointing Umahi to lead the infrastructure renewal, noting that roads account for nearly 90 percent of transport, and the President has ensured safer travels nationwide. Alphonsus Eba, Secretary of the APC State Chairmen Forum, expressed gratitude for Umahi’s contributions and stated that the group seeks partnership to serve as volunteer project monitors across states. Eba also appealed for assistance in completing roads and bridges in Taraba, Niger, and the Calabar-Itu axis.
