Umahi Asks National Assembly To Approve Another N7trn For Road Projects

Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has called on the National Assembly to back President Bola Tinubu’s plan to raise N7 trillion through bonds to fund road projects previously financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Umahi made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja while defending the ministry’s 2026 budget before the Joint Committee on Works of the National Assembly.

He explained that the request became necessary after NNPCL, with presidential approval, withdrew from financing the affected road projects.

“NNPCL, with the approval of Mr President, has pulled out of funding this project,” he said. “A total of N7 trillion will be needed to complete it, and Mr President has approved that the ministry take over execution.

“It is important to note that continuation of these projects is critical, as they lie within the nation’s economic corridors.”

The minister identified key projects impacted by the withdrawal, including sections of the East-West Road, the Suleja–Minna Road, and several projects in Taraba, Adamawa and Niger states.

“They are all part of the NNPCL-funded projects, just to mention a few,” he said. “It is good for our lawmakers to encourage Mr President to raise bonds and complete them. Whether it was right or wrong, our people need these roads. This is very important.”

Umahi commended President Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure development and praised the National Assembly for its continued support.

According to him, the President inherited 2,064 ongoing road projects valued at about N13 trillion as of May 29, 2023, noting that the estimate was made before the naira floatation and the removal of fuel subsidy.

“If you appraise building material costs now, compared to before subsidy removal, you can imagine the implications,” he said. “But I thank the President. I do not think any other president has done that. When we came on board, we had to continue all 2,064 projects.”

He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council subsequently directed the ministry to prioritise, phase and re-scope projects, particularly those located along major economic corridors across the six geopolitical zones.

Umahi put the total cost of ongoing projects at N16.9 trillion as of December 2025, clarifying that the amount excludes the President’s four legacy projects.

He described the N16.9 trillion cost as unrealistic, leading to the segmentation of projects on a zonal basis to facilitate completion.

“The President graciously gave us additional funds in the 2026 proposal, totalling N797 billion, including contingency and counterpart funding,” he said.

He said the South-West received N160 billion for priority projects, including the Third Mainland Bridge, while the South-South and North-West were allocated N120 billion each. The South-East was allotted N105 billion, while the North-Central and North-East got N105.2 billion apiece.

On ongoing flagship projects, Umahi announced that Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway would be completed and commissioned by May 29. He added that 50 per cent of the 55-kilometre Lekki Deep Sea Port access road would also be delivered by the same date.

“The entire project will be completed by the end of this year,” he said.

He further stated that Section 3 of the Lagos–Calabar Highway in Cross River State is progressing steadily, with concrete pavement works ongoing without interruption.

On the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Umahi said 50 per cent of the axis would be ready within six months, expressing optimism that the project would be completed before the end of the year.