Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of neglecting critical federal roads in Edo and Delta states, urging the Senate to intervene to ensure a more equitable distribution of national infrastructure projects.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole highlighted the severe hardships faced by commuters on major routes connecting Benin, Warri, Asaba, Auchi, and Okene, arguing that the Minister of Works needs proper guidance for proposing roughly 20 new roads while existing, critical infrastructure remains neglected and in terrible condition.

“Yet, sir, between Edo and Delta States, there is a manifest bias in the actions of the Minister of Works. You cannot travel from Benin to Warri; you cannot travel from Benin to Asaba; you cannot travel from Benin to Auchi; and you cannot travel from Auchi to Okene without encountering encountering serious challenges. What have we done wrong” Oshiomhole stated.

He further alleged that the ministry had repeatedly failed to make budgetary provisions for road projects affecting Edo and Delta states, adding that some interventions were only made possible through presidential directives.

“I believe the Minister has consistently demonstrated that there is no federal allocation for these critical roads. It is only through Mr President’s goodwill that he directed the use of tax credits to address part of this section.

“Otherwise, in the budgets of the past three years, despite the first motion moved under your leadership to draw the Minister’s attention to the matter, the Federal Minister of Works has deliberately failed to include the portions bordering Edo and Delta States in the national budget,” he said.

Oshiomhole appealed to the Senate leadership to engage the minister and ensure that road infrastructure projects are executed with a broader national perspective.