*Says Tinubu priotises 2,694 inherited projects
WorldStage Newsonline– The Minister of Works, David Umahi has said that the federal government’s decision to toll roads across Nigeria is driven to ensure long-term road maintenance through public-private partnerships.
Umahi, speaking at the eighth 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the National Press Centre in Abuja, emphasized that tolling is not just about funding infrastructure but also about sustaining it — a move he described as a shift from past administrations’ approach to road construction.
The session was attended by the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, and Umahi.
Umahi pointed out that the President wants to create an economy of $1 trillion and to promote local content.
“And I want to say that every worker in every ministry ought to keep to the same vision,” he said.
Speaking on what informed the tolling of Federal Government roads across the country, Umahi said that it was part of the contract for the roads to be tolled.
“Truly, the most important thing is not just building these roads. I’ve always said that in the past, we have built roads, but this is the only time that a President is constructing roads.
“None of the roads built in the past ever lasted up to 50 years as the roads keep falling.
“We have 35 kilometer of roads nationwide, and when you add the new Legacy Project, we’ll be looking at over 38 kilometers of road. It is difficult for Nigerians, you know, for budgetary provision of the funds of the federal government to complete all these roads.
“So, and that’s why we are doing HDMI. And of course, that is the PPP. So the idea is not only to get this road constructed, but to also maintain it. And so in the first week of June, we are going to go round and do stakeholders engagement and appeal to them when we have completed. Let us have it tolled.
“So that is what informs the reason for tolling. Not just to have the private sector participate just like in every other, you know, civilized country, but also ensure that they operate and maintain the roads.”
INHERITED PROJECTS
The Minister also said President Tinubu, upon assumption of office in 2023, directed priority attention to 2,694 inherited projects across the geopolitical zones.
He added that the administration embarked on 65 new projects.
The minister who described the President as “Guru in infrastructure development”, praised his commitment to the sector, as the administration marked two years in office
“I continue to maintain that the road and the bridge sector is the major sector that grows the economy and the GDP of any nation.
“So, I commend Mr. President very highly for his commitment to infrastructure. That is a man with great courage,” he said
Umahi listed all the completed and ongoing projects across the six geopolitical zones.
