Where is the Minister of Works?

Commuters across Nigeria have been expressing their frustration over the poor condition of federal roads, leading to long hours of stranded motorists. This situation is particularly evident on the Benin to Sapele highway, the Abuja-Kaduna highway, and the Zagah-Suntai road in Taraba State. These roads, in various states of dilapidation, have caused commuters to endure extremely uncomfortable and dangerous conditions.

The common thread in all these cases is the federal road network, which is a critical lifeline for millions of Nigerians.

One of the ministers most frequently mentioned in these situations is David Umahi, the Minister of Works. Despite his visible presence on the highways and his efforts to address the issues, the road conditions have remained largely unchanged. Umahi, who was appointed to this position in 2023, has a strong engineering background and a history of infrastructure development in Ebonyi State.

His initial assessments were positive, with promises of rapid progress on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which he claimed would be completed within a year. However, these promises have not been fulfilled, and the highway project has seen multiple delays and changes in timelines.

The Abuja-Kaduna highway, a crucial artery for commuters traveling between Abuja and the northern regions, has been particularly problematic. Despite Umahi's assurances, the project has seen multiple changes in timelines and contractors. Julius Berger, the original contractor, withdrew from the project, and it was re-awarded to Infoquest.

However, the quality of the work and the contractor's responsiveness have been poor. The heavy rains this season have exacerbated the situation, causing gridlock and significant delays, with some motorists stranded for days.

The Minister of Works has been under scrutiny for his handling of these projects. Critics argue that his focus on starting new projects rather than maintaining existing ones has contributed to the overall deterioration of the road network. The strain of multiple expensive new projects, especially during a pre-election year, has added to the existing problems.

The government's decision to secure foreign loans for new projects has further strained resources that could have been allocated to maintaining and improving existing infrastructure.

The situation on these federal roads highlights a larger issue of poor maintenance and management. The strain on the Ministry of Works is evident in the lack of diligent supervision and the contractors' insensitivity to the safety and comfort of commuters. It is clear that significant improvements are needed in the oversight and implementation of road projects to alleviate the suffering of stranded commuters.