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, urging the Senate to call for a more equitable distribution of road infrastructure projects across the country.
Speaking during plenary, Oshiomhole expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of major highways linking Edo and Delta, despite the Federal Government’s approval of several new road projects.
He questioned the decision to embark on additional road projects while many existing federal highways remain in poor condition.
“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 suffered unfair treatment in the allocation of federal road infrastructure, pointing to the deplorable state of the Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Benin–Auchi and Auchi–Okene highways.
“Yet, 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 has repeatedly failed to make budgetary provisions for the affected road corridors, adding that ongoing interventions were only made possible after President Bola Tinubu approved the use of tax credits to fund parts of the projects.
“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 urge the Minister of Works to adopt 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.