The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the Federal Government’s investment in road infrastructure, saying President Bola Tinubu is using strategic highways to improve security and support military operations, while Peter Obi renewed calls for the President to resign over an alleged N8.83 trillion off-budget expenditure.
Umahi Says Roads Will Boost Security
Umahi said the rehabilitation of the Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads in Borno State forms part of President Tinubu’s wider plan to fight insecurity through infrastructure development.
He spoke during the official flag-off of the projects at Muna City Gate along the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru Road. According to him, the roads will reconnect communities, revive economic activities and improve military operations across the North-east.
Furthermore, the minister said Tinubu has shown the political will to revive strategic highway projects that previous administrations left unfinished. His Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, disclosed this in a statement.
Umahi explained that work has resumed on the Kano-Maiduguri highway, parts of which were awarded in 2006. He also said contractors are now delivering the Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads awarded in 2021.
Government Targets Border Security
Meanwhile, Umahi said the road projects will improve access to border communities and strengthen logistics for security agencies.
He added that better roads will help security personnel respond faster to threats while supporting economic growth in affected communities.
“These road infrastructure projects are part of President Tinubu’s larger programme to fight insecurity,” Umahi said. He added that the completed roads will benefit residents and improve access to Chad and Cameroon, while giving the military better routes to tackle any remaining insurgent threats.
Shettima Backs Infrastructure Drive
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the event, described the projects as infrastructure of strategic national importance.
He said poor roads create security challenges because they limit the ability of security agencies to patrol vulnerable areas effectively.
Furthermore, Shettima praised Umahi and the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, for driving the projects.
He said the road corridors will strengthen links with Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, creating fresh opportunities for trans-Saharan trade and cross-border commerce.
The Vice President urged stakeholders to support the successful delivery of the projects. He also assured Nigerians that the administration would continue investing in infrastructure that promotes economic growth and national development.
Zulum, Dangote Commend Projects
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described the projects as another milestone in the state’s recovery from years of insurgency.
He said the roads will reconnect communities, improve the movement of people and goods, expand access to markets and essential services, and strengthen efforts to restore normal life across the state.
Furthermore, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote credited the projects to strong collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector.
Dangote said Umahi remains actively involved in supervising projects and regularly engages contractors to ensure quality work and timely delivery.
He disclosed that the Dangote Group is currently constructing about 12 road projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, covering more than 1,000 kilometres at a total investment of over N3 trillion.
According to him, the company remains ready to support the government’s infrastructure programme with additional road projects.
Obi Renews Resignation Call
Meanwhile, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi renewed his call for President Tinubu to resign over an alleged N8.83 trillion expenditure in the 2025 fiscal year that he said does not appear in the approved federal budget.
Obi made the statement on X, saying recent findings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) strengthened his earlier criticism of the administration.
He argued that the alleged off-budget spending violates public finance management principles because it falls outside legislative oversight and administrative scrutiny.
Consequently, Obi described the figure as alarming. He said N8.83 trillion equals about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and more than 35 per cent of the country’s N23.96 trillion capital budget for 2025.
He also said the amount exceeds the combined allocations for education and health and could have transformed critical sectors if properly managed.
IMF Report Sparks Debate
However, THISDAY learnt that the expenditure highlighted during the IMF’s Article IV Consultation may relate to the Abacha Loot and other recovered funds.
According to the report, foreign countries that partnered in returning the funds insisted they should finance specific projects, including the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics (AERE) called for greater transparency.
Both groups urged the Federal Government to provide detailed explanations and ensure full accountability over all public spending.
External Links
- International Monetary Fund Nigeria Reports: https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/NGA
- Federal Ministry of Works: https://works.gov.ng
- Budget Office of the Federation: https://budgetoffice.gov.ng
