The Federal Government has been urged to prioritize the timely release of funds for road infrastructure projects to sustain national economic growth, enhance regional connectivity, and accelerate national development. The call was made by the retiring Director of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation at the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Clement Ogbuagu, during a valedictory ceremony held in his honor at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. He emphasized that the road sector is a critical driver of a nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), noting that an efficient transport network is fundamental to keeping the broader economy functional and thriving.
Ogbuagu’s remarks come on the heels of data from the Open Treasury Portal indicating that the government released approximately ₦2.68 trillion—amounting to barely 5 percent—for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of roads and bridges between 2023 and April 2026. While the government made budget provisions totaling ₦54.93 trillion for road-related infrastructure within that timeframe, a stark disparity remains between approved allocations and actual funding releases, stalling various ongoing capital projects across the country. The retiring director praised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for introducing modern construction technologies to tackle these durability issues, specifically highlighting the successful deployment of concrete pavement technology on federal highways.
Stepping down after completing his mandatory years of public service, Ogbuagu also commended the ongoing digitalization reforms under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, which are steadily transitioning ministries away from inefficient paper-based processes. He advised serving public officers to uphold strict discipline, accountability, and professional ethics to navigate their careers without legal or disciplinary challenges. The Minister of State for Works, Barrister Mohammed Goronyo, lauded Ogbuagu as an exceptional public servant whose professional competence and humility would be deeply missed within the ministry.
