You’re Not Concerned About Fixing Nigerian Roads – Reps Panel Blasts Umahi Over Deplorable Roads
By Reporter
The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has rubbished the high rating the Minister of Works, David Umahi recently received for his retention as minister.
The latest castigation came from the House of Representatives over the deplorable roads across the country.
Umahi condemnation came from the panel members during an interactive session last week, according to a video that has gone viral on social media.
Honourable Remi Opening, the chairman of the committee, slammed the minister that he was getting his priorities wrong.
Before then, the minister told the panel that the deplorable state of roads in Nigeria was due to a “dearth of resources”, to which the committee chairman disagreed, insisting that funding is not the problem.
“You are not here to tell us what we already know in the area of resources,” Oseni said.
“So, if you are telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our road infrastructure is because of resources — don’t let me take you up on that because you concentrated your energy as a minister on less priority issues.
“Don’t discuss resources. All the roads that we have across the country have failed. If you are addressing the existing roads with the resources that you have, Hon minister, we will not be where we are. Don’t discuss resources.
“Last year, you got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am worried that you are not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads.
“We are not here for business of whether you want to do the job or you don’t want to do the job. Stop telling us you are awarding road contracts.
“We don’t want you to be awarding roads that you are not ready to do. How can you be telling us that there are no resources? With what everybody (lawmakers) has said, it is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation,” Oseni said.
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