The National Assembly has approved an increase in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Works, raising it from the proposed N657.3 billion to N1.03 trillion. This represents a significant increase of N373 billion or 56.7%, compared to the initial figure in the appropriation bill, and a 65.4% increase from the amount approved in the 2023 budget. The capital budget of the ministry has been raised from N617.9 billion to N987.3 billion.
The approved budget includes several new capital projects. Notable among them are allocations for the construction of Lafia road and the dualisation of 9th Mile (Enugu) Otukpo-Makurdi (Keffi Phase II) road project, construction of Ota-Idiroko road sections one to three, construction of Iyin-Ilawe Ekiti road sections one to three, and rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt road sections two and four. Additionally, funds have been endorsed for the dualisation of the Benin-Ilesha road, construction of Malando-Garin-Baka-Ngaski-Wara road in Kebbi State, and the Koko-Besse-Zaria-Kala Kala road in Kebbi State.
Other projects in the approved budget include the dualisation of Aba-Ikot Ekpene road, repair of the Iganmu bridge, rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section, dualisation and construction of Kano-Kwanar Dauja Hadejia road, reconstruction of Amasiri-Uburu-Mpu-Ishiagu road, and provision of culverts and drains at flood-prone areas in the South-West.
The Ministry of Works also received approval for N3.35 billion to purchase vehicles for consultants and security supervision. Minister of Works, David Umahi, had requested the National Assembly to increase the ministry’s 2024 budget to approximately N1.5 trillion, emphasizing the need to complete critical roads and bridges across the country.
Umahi urged contractors to complete 150km of roads in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2024. He expressed the expectation that achieving this target would significantly improve road infrastructure in the country, signaling a commitment to providing better and more durable roads for Nigerians.
