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Honourable Yusuf Umar Datti, Member representing Kura/Madobi/Garun-Mallam Federal Constituency of Kano State, has raised concerns over apparent disparities in the allocation of funds across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in the proposed 2026 budget of the Federal Ministry of Works.
The concerns were raised during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works, convened to scrutinise the Ministry’s 2026 budget proposal following its presentation by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
During the session, the minister disclosed that N160 billion was allocated to the South-West region, while the North-West—Nigeria’s most populous region—was allocated N120 billion.
The allocation to the South-West was justified in the presentation by the presence of “critical bridges” in Lagos.
Reacting to the presentation, Hon. Datti questioned the criteria used in classifying projects as “critical.”
He sought clarification on whether such classification is determined by regional population, volume of users, economic importance, or the frequency of accidents and fatalities recorded on affected roads.
The lawmaker cited the Abuja/Kaduna/Zaria/Kano highway, a major economic corridor that has remained under construction for over a decade, arguing that if objective criteria were applied, the road should qualify as a critical national project deserving priority funding.
Senator Rufai Sani Hanga also echoed similar concerns regarding the prolonged delay in the completion of the Abuja/Kaduna/Kano road project, emphasising its strategic importance to the North and the nation’s economy at large.
In his response, the minister assured lawmakers that the Abuja–Kano road project is expected to be completed early next year, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to delivering key infrastructure projects across the country.
Datti reiterated the need for fairness, transparency and equity in national budget allocations, stressing that infrastructure distribution must reflect population realities, economic significance and the safety of road users nationwide.
Reps question regional disparities in 2026 Works budget allocation
