Supplemental budget: FG needs N18.6 trillion to fix federal roads – Umahi

According to information released by Works Minister Dave Umahi on Wednesday, Nigeria’s road sector will require N18.6 trillion in repairs over the next four years.

This information was disclosed by Umahi during the budget defence for a supplemental budget of N2.177 trillion, which was convened at the request of the Hon. Abubakar Bichi-led House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.

The Minister called for the availability of contingency money for the Ministry to handle emergency issues as they relate to the roads, in addition to the N300 billion allocated for the Ministry of Works from the N2.17 trillion supplemental budget.

Additionally, the Minister reaffirmed their choice to build concrete roads, citing their superior durability and lower cost.

He explained that in order to improve project completion and make emergency repairs on failing road portions, some of the monies taken out of the 2022 supplemental allocation had to be restored, which is why the request for the 2023 supplemental budget was made.

According to him, the N300 billion Ministry of Works budget is mostly intended for the transportation industry.

He claimed that this is done to combat insecurity and guarantee the unhindered flow of traffic on the federal road network, particularly as Yuletide draws near.

Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, stated in his presentation that N95.2 billion is for spending and N104.8 billion is for capital projects. Kyari received N200 billion from the supplemental budget.

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He summarised the situation by saying, “We faced the possibility of Anthrax, a disease that may wipe out cattle and spread to people if precautions are not followed. In addition, transboundary migrating pests like locusts are a problem that needs to be addressed. Therefore, N9.1 billion has been allocated for that purpose.

“There is also the matter of the strategic food stockpile. Thus, N25.5 billion has been set aside for this purpose. Additionally, N11.7 billion in seeds, seedlings, and other agricultural inputs would be supplied for every zone in the nation.

The National Agricultural Growth Scheme set aside N25 billion in funding for this. We set aside N11.7 billion per zone for each of the six zones in the country for the upcoming rainy season in 2024.

He emphasised how important it is to give farmers sufficient security.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated that N3.4 billion was set aside for security equipment. Wike received N100 billion.

He added that the funds would be utilised for other infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Abuja rail project.

Naturally, several infrastructure needs that were neglected before I joined the team must now be finished in preparation for the upcoming dry season. I had to force some of these contractors, like Julius Berger, to return to work when I first started here.

“I think that this infrastructure and roads would have been finished by the time the rainy season rolls around next year. Speaking once again on the Abuja rail project’s launch and rehabilitation. You will concur with me that the President’s idea is quite significant and will contribute to improving our traffic problem.

“I’ve been there since I joined the team, and Mr. President gave instructions the day the Nigerian Bar Association had its annual conference about his desire to ride this metro line, at least during his first year in office. I believe we will succeed in this endeavour with your help.

This is the change I would like to make. Yes, N22 billion was allocated. The project’s financial component is our issue. As you are aware, this project was given a dollar and naira component.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor, is currently claiming that they require their $7 million component. If you look at the differentials, I will beg that we can supply the $7 million dollar component with this N22 billion, and the Naira component will be whatever is left over. This is due to the fact that when we attempted to pay them in Naira, they insisted that the agreement was in dollars with Naira components.