The Federal Government needs N217 billion to complete 269 roads across the country, Works Minister Dave Umahi said on Wednesday.

Umahi, who spoke during a briefing on his vision for the Ministry of Works, said that some roads were ongoing, while most were stalled for lack of funds to pay contractors.

He urged the government to raise the ministry’s budgetary allocation, particularly through the intervention and budgetary allocations by the National Assembly.

The minister also spoke of plans to engage the National Assembly to return the over N530 billion meant for roads, which the government used as palliatives to vulnerable Nigerians to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal and other harsh economic conditions.

Umahi said that the government would not approve any new road project that is not concrete. He also cautioned contractors on the delivery of substandard roads.

I travelled to the Southwest, and I am totally unhappy with the ongoing projects there and the supervision. I gave them an 80 per cent pass mark, but not without my reservation about how these projects will last.

“I have been to parts of the Northcentral, and I am very dissatisfied with the quality of work and supervision offered by the Ministry of Works. I went to Kaduna, and I disagreed with the design of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road; it is an overkill. I want to do from kilometer 0 to 38 with concrete because it is on water level base; if the contractor encourages me, it will happen,” he said

The minister also said he will engage with the National Assembly to discuss funding the ministry’s projects.