Senate Moves To Bail Out Ministry Of Works With Emergency Funds

The Nigerian Senate said that it will collaborate with the House of Representatives and the executive to bail out the Ministry of Works through an emergency fund in order to clear the N420 billion owed contractors by the Ministry on road projects constructed across the country.

Senator Adamu Aliero, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kebbi Central led Senate Committee on Works declared this during the 2022 Budget presentation and defence session by the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola.

Move for an emergency fund by the National Assembly to clear the N420billion debt incurred by the Federal Ministry of Works on already executed road contracts by its contractors, was sequel to the presentation before the lawmakers by the Works Minister.

The Senators have however hailed the federal government on a series of road projects being constructed across the six geo-political zones of the country.

In his presentation, Fashola had told the Senators that the total money owed contractors on already completed contracts on road projects is N420billion.

According to him, the liability is far above the N350billion projected for funding of road projects in the 2022 budget, adding that aside from the N420billion outstanding debts owed contractors, there is a need for N45billion emergency fund for road repairs on a yearly basis as done in other countries.

Fashola said. “For roads to be in good shape at any time of the year for users, in Britain for example intervention from a special fund, is made to put roads in good shape particularly after Winter.