The Minister of Works, Sen.Dave Umahi, has revealed that a funding gap of N13 trillion is needed to complete ongoing highway projects inherited by the present administration.

Umahi who made the disclosure while briefing newsmen yesterday (Thursday) in Abuja, noted that the ministry inherited 18,932.50km of ongoing projects valued at N14.42 trillion as of May 2023. 

According to him, the funding gap will likely increase to over N16 trillion when all projects are reviewed to reflect current market realities.

On the challenges faced, he lamented the high cost of construction materials in the market, poor funding of highway projects, which include underfunding of FERMA for effective road maintenance.

About some of its achievements within the year he noted that the new capital project in the supplementary budget of 2023 has been at least  90% executed to completion on the projects.