President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to the Federal Ministry of Works to withhold memos to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) concerning projects that require additional evaluation for funding and review.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following a recent FEC meeting chaired by President Tinubu.
According to Idris, this decision mandates the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to work in conjunction with the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
Their collaborative effort is aimed at refining the scope and financing of ongoing infrastructure projects highlighted in the presented memos.
President Tinubu’s directive specifically targets projects inherited from previous administrations, which will now undergo a thorough scrutiny process to ensure efficient use of resources and prioritization for phased completion.
The Lagos-Calabar highway and other recent projects approved under the Tinubu administration are not affected by this directive. These projects do not face the same funding or augmentation concerns as those inherited.
Further elaborating on the directive’s implications, Idris emphasized that the move aims to streamline project execution rather than signify project abandonment.
The review process considers various factors beyond mere budgetary allocations to optimize project delivery.
Additionally, the FEC has initiated a committee to revisit and possibly amend the Public Procurement Act. The committee, chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, will explore ways to enhance transparency and efficiency in government procurement processes.
