Reps Question 2026 Works Budget Allocation Disparities

During a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Umar Datti, a member representing Kura, Madobi, and Garun Mallam Federal Constituency in Kano State, expressed concerns regarding the disparities in the proposed 2026 budget allocation for the Federal Ministry of Works. The budget allocates N160 billion to the South West region while the North West, Nigeria's most populous region, receives N120 billion.

Datti questioned the criteria used to classify projects and whether factors such as regional population, economic importance, and accident rates influenced funding decisions. He highlighted the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway as a major economic corridor that has remained under construction for a decade and argued that the criteria applied to road qualification should prioritize national projects deserving of funding.

Senator Rufai Sani Hanga echoed similar concerns regarding the prolonged delays in completing the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road project, emphasizing its strategic importance to the nation's economy. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, assured lawmakers that the Abuja-Kano road project is expected to be completed early next year and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to delivering key infrastructure projects across the country.