ABUJA, Nigeria — The Senate has urged the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to prioritise the completion of abandoned and ongoing road projects across the country before embarking on new ones.
The upper chamber also called on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to urgently address worsening flooding and erosion in the region.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye during Wednesday’s plenary, seeking special intervention on the highway linking Ogbaru in Anambra State to Andoni in Rivers State.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Isah Jibrin urged the Federal Government to focus on completing existing road projects rather than starting new ones, which he described as white elephant projects. Other lawmakers also highlighted abandoned roads in their constituencies and called for the completion of ongoing works.
However, the Senate rejected an additional prayer by Senator Adams Oshiomhole seeking to stop Umahi from starting new road projects until existing ones were completed.
Instead, the chamber adopted a recommendation by former Senate President Ahmad Lawan urging the minister to give priority to old and ongoing road projects.
