Okonjo-Iweala: Poor Maintenance Hinders Nigeria's Growth

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, addressed the issue of Nigeria's poor maintenance culture during her keynote speech at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba on Monday. She asserted that this lack of maintenance is diminishing the value of the country's infrastructure and impeding economic development.

Okonjo-Iweala highlighted that budgetary allocations alone do not ensure development without effective execution and maintenance of existing infrastructure. She called for a shift in focus from merely initiating new projects to preserving and maintaining current infrastructure to maximize economic returns.

Additionally, she urged improvements in critical infrastructure, such as ports and digital facilities, to lower trade costs and enhance Nigeria's competitiveness. The three-day summit, organized by the Delta State Government, aims to attract investments and promote economic growth, with Vice President Kashim Shettima opening the event on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.