Abuja, August 29, 2024 — The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced that the Ministry of Works will not propose any new projects for the 2025 fiscal year, in a strategic move aimed at addressing the ongoing issue of abandoned projects across the country. The decision comes as the Ministry grapples with a significant N16 trillion funding gap for over 4,000 ongoing projects inherited by the current administration.

During a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, marking his first year in office, Umahi expressed the urgency of completing existing projects rather than initiating new ones. “We will not propose new projects for the 2025 fiscal year unless otherwise dictated by Mr President,” Umahi stated, emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to completing the backlog of ongoing projects.

The Minister highlighted the challenges posed by the enormous funding gap, noting that many of these projects were awarded under significantly different economic conditions. “Some of these projects were awarded when the naira was exchanged for N150 to $1USD,” he explained, pointing out how inflation and currency devaluation have drastically increased the cost of completing these projects.

Umahi further disclosed his intention to advocate for dedicated funding from the Ministry of Finance to ensure the completion of these ongoing projects. “I’m going to tell the Ministry of Finance to provide funds for us to complete ongoing projects,” he asserted.

The decision to halt new project proposals is seen as a practical measure to prevent the proliferation of unfinished infrastructure across the country, which has been a longstanding issue in Nigeria’s development landscape.

In related news, the Minister has also set an October deadline for the completion of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Bridge, underscoring the administration’s focus on delivering key infrastructure projects that have been delayed for years.

As the Ministry of Works navigates these financial challenges, the focus will remain on maximizing the impact of available resources to ensure the timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects that will benefit the nation.