Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, clarified that President Bola Tinubu has not ordered a halt on ongoing inherited projects.

This announcement came during a meeting with contractors in Abuja yesterday.

Contrary to recent media reports, Umahi emphasized that President Tinubu instructed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to review inherited projects to align them with current economic realities. “President Tinubu directed that inherited projects should be reviewed in line with the current realities,” he stated, noting that many of these projects were initially awarded when the dollar was approximately N185.

Umahi explained that the discussion at the FEC meeting was not about the unit costs, as the federal government was satisfied with the prices offered by contractors. Instead, the focus was on the necessity to review projects, some of which were initiated 18, 10, or five years ago, leading to budget deficits.

“There is absolute justification to review these projects where there is budgetary provision, and that is the concern of FEC,” Umahi said. He added, “Neither the president nor FEC directed that inherited projects should be stepped down. Rather, it was Mr. President, out of his magnanimity, who directed that all inherited projects should be made alive through appropriation.”

President Tinubu has promised to seek additional funding for these projects, even beyond budgetary provisions, through the National Assembly. The ministry is now reviewing the projects to present a proposal to the FEC for future appropriations to ensure their completion.

Umahi also issued a warning to contractors delaying their work, stressing that such behavior endangers the lives of Nigerians and would result in job termination. To ensure accountability, he announced that the ministry would begin publishing monthly reports on the progress of various projects.