FG Releases Just 5% of ₦54.93tn Road Budget, Data Shows
The Federal Government has released only ₦2.68 trillion for road projects between 2023 and April 2026, representing less than 5% of the ₦54.93 trillion budgeted for construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance.
Data from the Open Treasury Portal showed that while allocations have grown significantly, actual cash releases remain far below approved amounts, reflecting persistent financing constraints.
In 2023, road projects received ₦631.51bn out of ₦2.53tn, an implementation rate of 24.95%. In 2024, releases fell to ₦784.60bn out of ₦9.39tn, just 8.36%.
By 2025, the government budgeted ₦7.22tn, but only ₦670.68bn was released, translating to 9.29%. In 2026, allocations surged to ₦35.79tn, yet only ₦597.08bn (1.67%) had been disbursed by April.
Road construction consistently attracted the largest allocations, rising from ₦1.09tn in 2023 to ₦23.61tn in 2026, while rehabilitation grew from ₦1.42tn to ₦12.03tn. Maintenance had smaller allocations but achieved higher execution rates, including 90% in 2024.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the ministry inherited over 2,000 ongoing projects and is prioritising completion of major highways, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
Umahi disclosed that the government owes contractors about ₦2.2tn for certified works from 2024–2025, underscoring the funding gap despite rising budgetary commitments.
Analysts warn that while planned spending has expanded, execution remains weak. Without timely releases, the ambitious infrastructure agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda may struggle to deliver intended benefits.
Culled from The PUNCH