Drama as Senators clash during Works Ministry’s N3.24tn Budget Defence

Tension gripped the National Assembly on Wednesday as tempers flared during the 2026 budget defence session of the Ministry of Works, with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi repeatedly clashing with the head of the committee over issues concerning Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The heated exchange briefly disrupted proceedings as lawmakers engaged in sharp disagreements while the minister presented details of the ministry’s capital expenditure plan for the coming fiscal year.

Despite the drama, Umahi proceeded with his presentation before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works, outlining a proposed ₦3.24456 trillion capital budget for 2026. He said the plan prioritises the completion of major federal highways and four key “legacy projects” initiated by the presidency.

Explaining why numerous projects were rolled over, the minister said the current administration inherited a large portfolio of ongoing works in 2023.

“When we came on board, we had to continue all the entire 2,064 projects,” Umahi told lawmakers, noting that the government could not abandon inherited infrastructure commitments.

He, however, painted a grim picture of funding constraints, disclosing that only ₦210.318 billion had been released so far from the 2025 capital allocation — representing about 9.7 per cent of the expected releases.

According to him, the shortfall has significantly slowed project execution nationwide and compounded the ministry’s financial obligations.

“The total amount owed to contractors for works done and generated certificates between 2024 and 2025 is about ₦2.2 trillion,” the minister said, highlighting the mounting liabilities confronting the sector.

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