Oshiomhole’s Road Rage: A Wake-Up Call For Umahi And Nigeria’s Infrastructure Priorities

By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah

During Senate proceedings , Senator Adams Oshiomhole delivered a blunt message to the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
His concern was straightforward.

While many of Nigeria’s major federal highways remain in terrible condition, the Federal Government continues approving new road projects.

According to Oshiomhole, the priority should be fixing the roads Nigerians already depend on before embarking on additional mega projects.

Using the Edo-Delta corridor as an example, he argued that critical federal routes linking Benin to Warri, Asaba, Auchi and Okene have deteriorated to unacceptable levels.

He maintained that despite previous Senate resolutions and presidential interventions through tax-credit arrangements, the Edo-Delta section has repeatedly been left out of federal budget allocations.

His appeal was not for confrontation but for a more balanced national approach to infrastructure planning.

Oshiomhole’s position deserves serious consideration.

Road infrastructure is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.

Every day, farmers, transporters, manufacturers and ordinary commuters rely on these highways to move goods and people.

When major roads collapse, transport costs increase, food prices rise, businesses lose productivity and insecurity worsens as criminals exploit abandoned and impassable routes.

In a period of limited public resources, rehabilitating existing economic corridors often delivers faster and broader economic benefits than launching entirely new projects.

This does not diminish the significant infrastructure programmes already being pursued by the Ministry of Works under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Oshiomhole’s intervention is therefore less about opposing new construction and more about achieving the right balance between expansion and maintenance.

If this advice is embraced, the benefits could be substantial.

Restoring key federal highways would reduce logistics costs, improve interstate commerce, support agricultural distribution, strengthen security operations and ease pressure on inflation.

It would also reinforce public confidence that infrastructure decisions are based on national priorities rather than regional considerations.
Ultimately, Oshiomhole’s submission goes beyond politics.

It is a reminder that governance is measured not only by the number of new projects announced, but also by the condition of the roads Nigerians use every day.

Building new highways is important.

Keeping existing ones functional is indispensable.
That is the balance Nigeria must strive to achieve.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Principal and CEO of Bush Radio Academy