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Renewed Hope : Senate backs Umahi’s initiative on tax credit scheme of the Federal Ministry of Works, with the aim of bridging the gap in financing road infrastructure
In keeping with his commitment to the tenets of checks and balances and separation of powers emphasized by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria,*His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR* the Honourable Minister of Works, *His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON* led the critical departments of his Ministry to honour the invitation of the Senate Commitee on Finance on an interactive session in respect of the funding of critical roads, NNPCL Funding and Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme held at the Conference Room of the Senate on 22nd February 2024.
As part of the powers of oversight by the National Assembly, the Senate Commitee on Finance ably chaired by Distinguished Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, CON invited the Federal Ministry of Works to ascertain the level of performance of the funding of the road projects captured under the Tax Credit Scheme, the rationale behind the creation of the Federal Government’s Executive Order No. 007 of 2019 passed by the past administration and the constitutionality of the Executive Order, having regard to section 80 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. As part of his remarks, the Senate Committee Chairman said, “We need to know the beneficiaries of that tax credit and the essence of the job that they have done today. Having said that, going also by what you said, funds should all come to the Federation account. Appropriation is a different thing. Road is not the only problem we have in this country. We equally have challenges with health and others. So when this money comes into the pool, the federation account, we can now appropriate accordingly”
The subject of discussion, as it where, provoked different points of conversations by the Distinguished Committee members, after which the Hon. Minister of Works was given the floor to address the concerns raised by the committee members. He gave an overview of the structure and the status of the Tax Credit Scheme as well as the philosophy behind the creation of the Executive Order, which, according to the Honourable Minister, was a product of the decision by the National Economic Council under the past administration, designed to fill the funding gap in the road infrastructure development through fronting loading of Tax by the private sector to fund eligible road projects. According to the Hon. Minister, this scheme would incentivise the private sector to participate in the efficient and effective development of roads across their economic corridors and industrial clusters, which provide value for money. The programme, which has so far attracted funding for about 85 highway projects, is receiving funding from Dangote Industries, Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG), Nigeria National Petroleum Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL),MTN Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd. He also spoke on the Ministry’s efforts in scopping the projects and making sure that design complies with the word’s best standards. He added that aggressive supervision was helping in ensuring quality project delivery across the nation.
The Minister gave an example of Benin- Warri road being done under the Credit Scheme and explained the innovations introduced by the Ministry under him to bring enduring solutions to the road failures. He said. “Then we now have from Benin to Warri. That’s where some of the projects are listed. If you look at the documents we submitted, you will see that we analyzed the project zone by zone. And so we also looked at the nature of the roads from Benin to Wari. It’s also a very terrible situation. So we began to fight with the contractors, and I said there is no amount of asphalt you use on this road that will stand. So what we did was to excavate all the soil up to 1 meter depth, fill back with 500cm lumps, fill back with 400cm sand. And then now go back to fill with stone base, allow it for traffic to be on it. After 30 days, then you put an additional 10cm stone base. That is 55% cement. And then you have to use concrete.
He also said that the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund ( PIDF) was established for other strategic and critical projects that are capable of carrying Average Daily Trafick of 10,000 vehicles per day, including Abuja- Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway. According to the Honourable Minister, ” Mr. President has just approved that the critical projects under PIDF be funded. I’m still pushing for the release of money based on Mr. President’s directive, and that is for Abuja-Kaduna,-Zaria-Kano Highway, it is very key and very important to Mr. President. But I have an issue with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and I’ve just set up a committee to go and jointly review the project because they are asking for N1.5 trillion for that 375-kilometer dualized road. And for me, it is not justifiable.”
The Distinguished Senators were generally happy with the explanations given by the Hon. Minister of Works on the importance of the Tax Credit Scheme and the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, the funding performance so far and why it may not come as an appropriation, being that the funds are still the money in the hands of the private sector front loaded for some years in the future.
The Senators spoke in turns starting from the former Chairman Senate on Works, *His Excellency Senator Mohammed A. Aliero*, who spoke in defence of the Tax Credit Scheme: “It (the Tax Credit Scheme) came because of the infrastructure deficit we have in the country, which budgetary provision can not be enough to meet it. If we continue budgeting the way we are budgeting, believe me, it will take us 30 to 40 years before we can complete road rehabilitation and other repairs. The only way we can do it is to look for extra funding. And to the best of my knowledge, the State Governors were fully involved in this tax related scheme. There was a meeting between the President and the Governors. The President told them that we have a very serious infrastructural deficit in the country, and the only way we can attend to it is to use tax credit. And they all agreed, ”
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, in his concluding remarks, said, “My conclusion is that the committee will look at all that we have just heard from you ( the Hon. Minister) and make our decisions. But based on what we have heard from you, we are convinced that the Tax Credit policy of the Federal Government is a welcome initiative, which is worthwhile and we believe that every exigency has a purpose for which that period needs. And that is what called for the Presidential Order. And what we will appeal to both NNPC, Federal Ministry of Works, and the contractors are to make sure that those projects are completed”
With this wonderful executive- legislature understanding and reciprocity in tackling the economic challenges facing the country, one can be sure that the administration of Mr. President is on the steady part of binging economic prosperity to our country.
The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it plans to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.
The Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, Mary Ikoku, disclosed the plan during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
On the issue of elective positions during primaries, Ikoku said the party had not yet decided how these would be handled, noting that decisions may vary depending on local political dynamics.
She explained, “APC, for this convention, I am aware and can say that the party is adopting consensus for this convention. As to whether they are adopting consensus for elective positions, I do not have an answer to that because politics is local.
“So, I believe that, at the end of the day, when it comes to the issue of elective positions, the persons who would emerge aren’t often what you would want to make consensus in every space.”
Ikoku also addressed the Electoral Act’s provisions, which require political parties to register members online within a specified timeframe and outline acceptable methods for candidate selection.
She said these requirements posed challenges for some parties but reflected preparedness—or the lack thereof.
“We have an electoral law that defines the models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been taken out.
“That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to. Now, why do you think other political parties will have issues with that?” she asked.
“That would be to say there are levels of unpreparedness of these political parties. Any political party that is worth its salt should not wait till election season to start preparing for the run for office and all of these congresses.
“It is something they would have planned ahead of time. So, when you are not proactive as a party, these kinds of situations can challenge you deeply,” she added.
Ahead of the convention, the party began screening aspirants for key positions in its National Working Committee , including National Chairman aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary hopeful Ajibola Basiru.
Other NWC members seeking to retain their posts include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.
Security presence surged around the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as operatives from multiple agencies were deployed ahead of the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption-related offences.
By about 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had taken positions at strategic locations leading to the court complex situated within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.
Access roads to the venue witnessed restrictions, forcing vehicles into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and triggering early morning gridlock.
The heavy security followed a prior notice by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be docked alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
The agency explained that the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion, unlawful possession of public property, and money laundering.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.
It further disclosed that another case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been instituted against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
According to the commission, the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.
The ICPC said both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.
It also insisted that El-Rufai had been properly served, stressing its adherence to due process and the rule of law.
The development came amid growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which called for his immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.
In the same vein, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family also alleged a breach of his fundamental rights.
El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.
He has remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then, pending his arraignment.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
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