The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given Nigerians assurance to improve the current dilapidated federal road networks to durable ones in two years.
This was as he noted that a network of good roads can drastically reduce the current inflation rate and the high price of goods and services.
Umahi said this at the inauguration of the board members of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Umahi, road infrastructure is critical to the socio-economic development of our nation noting that the critical sectors that drive economic growth rely greatly on road infrastructure development.
He said, “We have a very critical situation with our roads all over the country and for me, the number one thing Nigerians need is durable roads. Road is everything and if we fix our roads today, we will bring down inflation in this country because bad roads affect every aspect of our economic activities. Is it transportation of petroleum products, agricultural produce, trade, or movement of tourism?
“A rich man can send his children to private schools or hospitals but we can never have private roads in this country. So this is a common denominator for every one of us.
“Mr president understand the plight of our people as far as road infrastructure is concerned. He is doing everything within the budget and outside to fix our roads and I want to assure Nigerians that our roads will be fixed within the next two years, we will see very serious tremendous transformation on most of our roads.
“From today, contractors that bidded for that process will start to receive their award letters and many will be going to the site as soon they receive their award letters.”
