The Federal Government can no longer fund all ongoing projects in the country at the same time, according to the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Umahi said he had been directed by President Bola Ahmed to review all projects in the country to decide which ones would be given priority.
“The Federal Executive Council has directed us to review the projects based on the availability of funds and make proposals to FEC. If a project has attained about 80% completion, then we will make a proposal to it for subsequent appropriation,” Umahi said.
The minister clarified that the government was not considering dumping projects it inherited, but would prioritize those that were near completion. He also decried the politicization of road projects, where lawmakers were only concerned with citing projects in their communities even when the government did not have the funds to construct them.
“There is a political angle to the award of contracts where we have politicians putting the ministry under pressure just to tell their constituency or community that a project has been awarded. If we continue like this, we are just helping the contractor as the money we have is not enough, and when you give it to them, they will pocket it and do nothing,” Umahi said.
He added that contractors who are not ready to accept the new terms should terminate their contracts. The minister’s statement comes as the government seeks to prioritize projects and make the most of its limited funds.
