N2.13tr inherited road debt under review — Umahi

By Joy Yesufu

The Federal Government is verifying an inherited road construction debt estimated at N2.13 trillion, as it moves to sanitise project execution, payment processes and supervision across the Ministry of Works.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while meeting with contractors and heads of agencies, assuring stakeholders that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to settling verified obligations while preventing a recurrence of unchecked liabilities.
Umahi said the debt, accumulated between 2023 and date, is undergoing a rigorous verification process to ensure accuracy before payments are made.
“A committee chaired by the Vice President is already working on this. Contractors are to present their claims, generated certificates and evidence for verification. We must be sure of what we are paying because the inherited debt stands at about N2.13 trillion,” the minister said.
He explained that debts incurred before 2023 would be subjected to a separate verification process involving anti-corruption and financial oversight agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC, Budget Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Works and the Office of the Auditor-General.
“I cannot take responsibility for what I was not part of, but that does not relieve us of the responsibility of owning the debts,” Umahi added.
He acknowledged delays in payments to contractors, apologising on behalf of the government and clarifying that President Tinubu was unaware of some outstanding obligations until recently.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu swiftly approved the constitution of a committee to address verified claims.
Umahi also announced a major policy shift affecting NNPC-funded road projects, stating that while all inherited projects would continue, the Ministry of Works not NNPC would henceforth handle payments.
“NNPC will no longer pay contractors directly. The Ministry of Works will take over the payment responsibility. This is to ensure clarity, accountability and proper project control,” he said.
He added that contractors handling long road stretches would now be required to focus only on sections that can be completed within nine months, warning that advance payments could no longer sustain prolonged or poorly executed projects.
Umahi also cautioned contractors against unauthorised road closures, stressing that no major highway particularly critical routes like the Abuja–Kano Road should be shut without express approval from the ministry and adequate safety signage.