Umahi Vows Persistent Advocacy for Ilesha Road Rehabilitation, Urges Presidential Support

In a recent press briefing, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, expressed unwavering commitment to the rehabilitation of the deteriorating Ibadan-Ilesha Road. Highlighting the road’s critical condition, Umahi emphasized the necessity for substantial funding to commence comprehensive reconstruction efforts.

“I want to assure Nigerians that I will not allow Mr. President to rest until he gives me the money to fix this road. And I believe he will,” Umahi stated, underscoring his determination to secure the necessary resources for the project.

The minister acknowledged that existing government funding is inadequate to meet the road’s reconstruction demands. He noted that while the Ibadan-Ilesha road was already identified in official reports as a key federal road in disrepair, it was further brought to his attention by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. “Even before the matter came up at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the First Lady personally called me and urged that we inspect the road due to the suffering of Nigerians using that corridor,” he said.

Umahi revealed that only N70 billion has been allocated to the project between 2003 and 2025, an amount he described as grossly inadequate. He further explained that the ministry has aggregated the Ibadan-Ilesha Road with other major corridors such as the Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road (already awarded for N751 billion) and the Ore-Benin Road, presenting the combined stretch to the FEC for funding intervention. “These roads are in terrible condition. What we’re doing for now is applying available funds for palliative works, while seeking permanent financing for full-scale reconstruction,” Umahi stated.

This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to infrastructure development. According to Umahi, the Tinubu administration has invested over N2.2 trillion in critical road infrastructure since taking office, completing 260 palliative road projects across the six geo-political zones of the country. “In just two years, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has completed 260 palliative road projects nationwide, costing N208 billion,” he noted.

The minister’s persistent advocacy for the Ibadan-Ilesha Road underscores the administration’s focus on revitalizing Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life for its citizens.