Oshiomhole Knocks Umahi Over failed Edo, Delta Federal Roads

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of sidelining critical federal road projects in Edo and Delta states, saying the ministry has failed to prioritise the rehabilitation of key highways despite their strategic importance.

The former Edo State governor made the allegation during Senate plenary while contributing to deliberations on road infrastructure, where he urged the upper chamber to prevail on the Minister to adopt a more equitable approach to the execution of federal road projects.

Oshiomhole criticised what he described as the ministry's preference for initiating new road projects while existing highways across the country, particularly in Edo and Delta, remain in a deplorable state.

According to him, the approval of about 20 new road projects in recent weeks raises questions about the government's priorities when major transport corridors have become increasingly difficult to navigate.

He identified the Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Benin–Auchi and Auchi–Okene highways as some of the worst-affected roads, lamenting that commuters and businesses continue to endure severe hardship because of their poor condition.

The senator further alleged that the Federal Ministry of Works has consistently failed to make budgetary provisions for the affected road sections over the past three years, despite repeated interventions by the Senate.

He argued that the only significant progress recorded on parts of the roads came through President Bola Tinubu's approval of the tax credit initiative, insisting that the ministry itself had not demonstrated sufficient commitment to addressing the problem.

Oshiomhole appealed to the Senate leadership to engage the Minister of Works and ensure that federal road projects are distributed fairly across the country, stressing that no state should be disadvantaged in the allocation of critical infrastructure.

His remarks come amid growing public concern over the deteriorating condition of federal highways in several parts of Nigeria, with road users and stakeholders calling for increased investment in the rehabilitation of existing roads before the commencement of new projects.