The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stressed the critical role that infrastructure development plays in advancing the “Renewed Hope Agenda” pursued by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The minister made these remarks during an interaction with State House correspondents after a courtesy visit to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, at her office in the State House, Abuja.
During the conversation, the minister expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating state of road infrastructure in the country, referring to it as “frightening.” He acknowledged the need for courage in addressing the challenges posed by this situation.
The minister commended the previous administration for its strategic allocation and awarding of key infrastructure projects, which he believes will lead to significant economic development in the future.
The former Governor of Ebonyi State also highlighted the issues of inadequate supervision and contractor dishonesty as major challenges facing the Federal Government in its infrastructure efforts.
The minister stressed the importance of accountability, emphasising that both the government and the citizens share the responsibility of ensuring that infrastructure projects are executed to the highest standards. He discouraged the tendency to lay blame on leadership when problems arise due to negligence or failure to fulfil responsibilities.
At the end of the meeting, the minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and her “Renewed Hope Initiative,” recognising her commitment to addressing various societal issues.