The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged Nigerians to support Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as it seeks to borrow funds to address the country’s infrastructure deficit.
Speaking after defending the 2025 budget before the National Assembly, Umahi explained that the Federal Government requires about N18 trillion to tackle the nation’s road infrastructure challenges. He noted that annual budgetary allocations alone are insufficient to meet the funding requirements.
He disclosed that the Tinubu administration inherited 2,064 road projects valued at N13 trillion in 2023, but the figure has now increased to N18 trillion due to current economic realities.
“So, when Tinubu, who is an economist, who has gone through all the segments of what we are passing through, by reason of his experiences, and is making efforts to borrow money to do these projects, then the public will be challenging his actions.
“That’s what I have been telling the National Assembly, and we are on the same page now. We have to borrow money to fix the roads,” Umahi said.
The minister emphasised the importance of road infrastructure for economic development, stressing that fixed roads would boost the nation’s growth. He called on Nigerians to avoid misjudging the Tinubu’s intentions.
According to him, these road projects totaled N13 trillion in 2023, but given the current reality, it should now be close to N18 trillion.
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Umahi stated, “So we need to give attention and encourage Mr. President to borrow money.
“He (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) cannot manufacture money. He has to be encouraged.
“You say he’s trying to steal your money. That’s very discouraging. So road infrastructure cannot be fixed by mere yearly budgetary allocation,” he concluded.
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