On Thursday, the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Works was convened at the main bowl of the National Assembly in Abuja, where its primary agenda was declared.
The committee, led by Chairman Rep Akin Alabi, pledged to carry out effective oversight of the Ministry of Works, ensuring that allocated funds for road construction and rehabilitation in Nigeria deliver value.
Chairman Rep Akin Alabi expressed confidence that with their oversight of the Works Ministry and its associated agencies, significant improvements in road infrastructure would become visible.
He emphasized the need for the Committee, consisting of representatives from all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to be more productive and focused, acknowledging the challenges facing the road sector.
Additionally, Rep Akin Alabi proposed the consideration and adoption of concrete as a construction material for roads, as an alternative to asphalt, which had contributed to the deplorable state of road infrastructure in the country.
He welcomed the committee members and highlighted the importance of their role, as outlined in the House’s Standing Orders.
The committee’s jurisdiction covers oversight of federal road and bridge construction and maintenance, survey and mapping, roads research, and various associated bodies and institutions.
Rep Akin Alabi stressed the urgency of the committee’s work, given the Minister of Works’ recent revelations about the state of road projects in the country.
He emphasized the committee’s role in addressing the suffering of the people caused by poor road conditions and the need to develop legislation, policies, and interventions to enhance the road infrastructure situation.
The Chairman also mentioned past initiatives, such as the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and the Highway Management Development Initiative (HDMI), employed to improve road infrastructure during the previous administration.
He promised the committee’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Works and its agencies to achieve rapid transformation in the country’s roads, aligning with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th Assembly.
