During a recent interactive session with the committee, Minister of Works and Housing, David Umahi, was met with intense scrutiny from the panel members, particularly its chairman, Remi Oseni. A video of the session has gone viral, showing Oseni expressing frustration over what he perceives as Umahi’s mismanagement of priorities concerning the nation’s road infrastructure.
Oseni criticized Umahi’s claims that the deplorable state of roads was primarily due to a lack of resources, firmly asserting that funding is not the root of the problem. He emphasized, “You are not here to tell us what we already know in the area of resources,” urging the minister to stop using it as an excuse for the ongoing failures in road maintenance.
The committee chairman pointed out that last year, Umahi received a ₦300 billion supplementary budget approval, questioning his commitment to addressing the nation’s urgent infrastructure needs. Oseni stated, “If you are telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our road infrastructure is because of resources… it is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation.”
Critics have also voiced concerns that Umahi has been focusing on less critical projects, such as the ambitious 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which is projected to cost ₦15 trillion. Meanwhile, many existing roads across the country remain neglected. Recently, Umahi launched the construction of Section I, Phase 1A of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a 1,068-kilometer project awarded to Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited, further fueling the debate over his priorities.
Oseni’s remarks have resonated with many Nigerians who are increasingly frustrated with the deteriorating state of roads and the apparent lack of action from the minister. The committee’s stern feedback underscores the urgency for effective solutions to Nigeria’s pressing infrastructure challenges.