Members of the House of Representatives have criticized the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the deterioration of the road network in the country.

The chamber particularly expressed concern, saying Umahi is not concerned with repairing Nigerian roads.

The Green House stated this at a meeting in Parliament where the Ministry’s Director of Bridges, Bede Obiora, blamed funding constraints for the poor condition of the country’s roads.

Umahi was absent from the hearing.

However, Oseni, who represents Ibarapa/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, countered the defense brought by the minister.

He said the minister’s argument that there are no resources is not valid as the ministry is awarding several road contracts, stressing that Umahi has no plan for the nation.

“We’re not here to tell us what you already knew in a resource area. So if you’re telling us that the reason you’ve failed to fix our rural infrastructure is because of resources, don’t let me take you there because you’ve focused your resources as minister on lower priority issues. Don’t discuss resources; I say this again.

“Again, all the roads we have in the country have failed. If you address these existing roads with the resources you have, Minister, we would not be doing what I am doing now. Don’t discuss resources. I say it again.

“You came here last year and got N300 billion supplementary budget approval. Don’t raise my emotions. I am concerned that you are not concerned about repairing Nigerian roads.

“We’re not here to determine if you don’t want to do the job or if you want to do it. Stop telling us you grant roads. We don’t want you to grant roads you are not prepared to take. How can you tell us there are no resources?

“In less than a minute, everything everyone has said is an indication that you have no plan for us as a nation. You have no plan for us as a nation. I was wondering what was used as a benchmark for your assessment.”