House of Reps also noted that Umahi’s argument that there are no resources doesn’t stand since his ministry is still awarding contracts
By Kehinde Okeowo
Members of the House of Representatives have berated the Minister of Works, David Umahi for leaving roads in the country in bad shape.
The members of the Green Chamber made their feelings known at a hearing after Works Ministry’s Director of Bridges, Bede Obiora, blamed funding constraints for the deteriorating road network in Nigeria.
The House of Reps expressed worry that Umahi, who was absent at the hearing, is not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads.
Despite spirited efforts by Obiora
to defend his minister, House of Reps member represents Ibarapa/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Oseni, countered the him.
He said the Minister’s argument that there are no resources doesn’t stand, as the ministry was awarding more road contracts, stressing that Umahi had no plan for the nation.
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Oseni said, “We are not here for you to tell us what you already knew in an area of resources. So if you’re telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our rural infrastructures is because of resources, don’t let me take you up there because you concentrated your resources as a Minister on less priority issues. Don’t discuss resources; I say this again.
“Again, all the roads we have across the country have failed. If you’re addressing these existing roads with the resources that you have, Sir, honourable minister, we wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. Don’t discuss resources. I say it again.
“You came here last year and got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am worried that you’re not concerned about fixing Nigerian roads.
“We are not here for the business of whether you don’t want to do the job or you want to do the job. Stop telling us you’re awarding roads. We don’t want you to be awarding roads that you’re not ready to do. How can you be telling us there’s no resources?
“In less than one minute, everything that everybody has said is a clue that you have no plan for us as a nation. You have no plan for us as a nation. I was wondering what was used as a benchmark for your appraisal.”