Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has raised an alarm that civil servants and contractors have been blackmailing him.
In a video shared on the X handle of former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Laureta Onochie, the minister lamented the deplorable state of Nigerian roads during a press briefing at a construction site.
He said it took him 14 hours to travel from Abuja to Edo (distance normally not more than six hours) due to the bad roads.
Umahi said despite the shoddy jobs done by contractors, civil servants would hurriedly certify payments for contractors.
He said: “I’m aware of very serious blackmail going on from the contractors and even civil servants about this intervention that the president is doing on our road.
“I keep lamenting that from Abuja to Edo state I stayed for 14 hours. It served me well. As a leader in this country, it serves me very well to see what Nigerians are going through on our roads on a daily basis despite the trillions being given.
“The blame is on civil servants. Civil servants are the problems of this country. We need to bring their leaders, let us discuss. Civil servants are the ones that are certifying payments. Most of them have joined contractors on the mission of blackmailing me,” he said.
Onochie, who shared the video, added her voice to the issue.
“This is what I have been saying, but some Appointed Public Servants will align with them for ‘Looting Rights.’
“Thank you, Hon. David Umahi (@realdaveumahi) for speaking up. @icpcnigeria has been going after them, but they don’t learn Stand your ground and deliver for Nigerians,” she said.
This is what I have been saying, but some Appointed Public Servants will align with them for "Looting Rights".
Thank you, Hon. David Umahi (@realdaveumahi) for speaking up.@icpcnigeria has been going after them, but they don't learn
Stand your ground and deliver for Nigerians pic.twitter.com/6oTGP4hEKF
— Lauretta Onochie (@Laurestar) September 21, 2023
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