By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Abuja — Tension flared at the National Assembly on Wednesday as members of the Joint Committee on Works confronted the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over aspects of the Ministry’s proposed ₦2.215 trillion 2025 budget, questioning contract awards, project quality and overall management during the budget defence session.
Presenting the proposal, Umahi outlined the breakdown of the 2025 allocation for the Ministry and its parastatals. He disclosed that ₦2.168 trillion was earmarked for capital expenditure, including ₦2.037 trillion for the Ministry of Works, ₦130.676 billion for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and ₦510 million for the African German Institute for Special Information Science and Technology.
However, the session took a dramatic turn when Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) challenged the Minister over the handling of the Abuja–Kaduna Road contract. Oshiomhole questioned the decision to disengage construction giant Julius Berger and re-award the project to a firm reportedly linked to Mikano, arguing that the company lacked a proven track record in major road construction.
In response, Senator Peter Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) defended Umahi, commending what he described as significant infrastructure reforms and improved oversight under the Minister’s leadership.
Nwebonyi’s remarks, however, sparked criticism from some committee members, who described his comments as excessive praise, further heightening tensions in the hearing room.
As exchanges grew increasingly heated, the co-chairmen of the Joint Committee on Works, Senator Sani Hanga and Hon. Akin Alabi, intervened and adjourned the session. They noted that additional clarifications would be sought from the Minister at a later date.
