Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of neglecting critical federal roads in Edo and Delta states, calling on the Senate to urge the minister to ensure a more equitable distribution of road infrastructure projects across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking during plenary, Oshiomhole expressed concern over what he described as the poor condition of major highways linking the two states, despite the Federal Government’s approval of new road projects.
He questioned the rationale behind approving additional roads while several existing federal highways remain in a state of disrepair.
“The federal minister of works needs to be guided. Whereas we have many existing roads that are in terrible condition, new roads are being proposed when the existing ones have not been properly addressed. Just three weeks ago, about 20 new roads were approved,” he said.
The senator alleged that Edo and Delta states have been unfairly treated in the allocation of road infrastructure, citing the deplorable condition of key routes connecting Benin City to Warri, Asaba, Auchi and Okene.
“Yet, sir, between Edo and Delta States, there is a manifest bias in the actions of the Minister of Works. You cannot travel from Benin to Warri; you cannot travel from Benin to Asaba; you cannot travel from Benin to Auchi; and you cannot travel from Auchi to Okene without encountering serious challenges. What have we done wrong?” Oshiomhole asked.
He further claimed that the minister had repeatedly failed to make budgetary provisions for the affected road corridors, adding that ongoing interventions were only made possible through President Bola Tinubu’s directive to fund portions of the projects using tax credits.
“I believe the Minister has consistently demonstrated that there is no federal allocation for these critical roads. It is only through Mr. President’s goodwill that he directed the use of tax credits to address part of this section. Otherwise, in the budgets of the past three years, despite the first motion moved under your leadership to draw the Minister’s attention to the matter, the Federal Minister of Works has deliberately failed to include the portions bordering Edo and Delta States in the national budget,” he said.
Oshiomhole appealed to the Senate leadership to intervene by urging the Minister of Works to adopt what he described as a more balanced and national approach to the execution of federal road projects.
“Therefore, I plead with you to urge the Minister to be more balanced and to adopt a truly national outlook in carrying out his responsibilities,” he added.
