Oshiomhole Criticises Umahi Over New Road Projects Amid Concerns About Existing Infrastructure.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has criticised the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over plans to construct new roads while several existing federal roads remain in poor condition.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the former Edo State governor urged the minister to prioritise the rehabilitation of deteriorating roads before embarking on new construction projects.

Oshiomhole questioned the decision to approve additional road projects despite the challenges facing many existing routes across the country.

“The Federal Minister of Works needs to be guided because, whereas we have all these old roads that are in bad shape, he proposes the construction of new roads when existing roads are not there,” he said.

The senator claimed that about 20 new roads had been approved three weeks earlier, but expressed concern over what he described as a lack of attention to key routes connecting Edo State with neighbouring areas.

He highlighted several roads he said were in urgent need of attention, including routes linking Benin City to Warri, Asaba, and Auchi.

“You cannot go to Warri from Benin, you can't go to Asaba from Benin, you can't go to Auchi from Benin, you can't go to Auchi from Okene from Benin. What have we done wrong?” Oshiomhole asked.

The senator further accused the Minister of Works of showing bias in the distribution of federal road projects, alleging that Edo State had not received fair consideration in infrastructure allocation.

“I think the Minister has consistently shown that there is no federal allocation,” he added.

The comments come amid ongoing national discussions over road infrastructure, maintenance of existing highways, and the allocation of government-funded projects across different regions of Nigeria.