The Ministry of Works has proposed a budget of N12 billion for various expenses in 2025, including significant allocations for legal fees, judgment debt settlements, and vehicle procurement.
Under the leadership of former Governor David Umahi, the ministry plans to allocate N5 billion each for legal fees and judgment debt settlements, with an additional N2 billion earmarked for purchasing vehicles for the minister’s senior special assistant.
The budget proposal also includes N670 million for the purchase of computer software and consumables for the ministry’s headquarters and 37 field offices, while N800 million is allocated for professional development of its staff.
The ministry further intends to spend N18 million on computer-aided equipment and software for its electrical services department.
The ministry’s planned expenditure also covers various infrastructural and operational needs, including N300 million for utility vehicles for the Human Resources Department and N150 million for vehicles to monitor zonal divisions and streetlight services.
A separate N60 million has been allocated for lifts at the ministry’s engineering block in Abuja, while the repair of water tanks at the minister’s quarters will cost N10 million.
Other key allocations include N300 million for fire safety and sports equipment, N10.44 million for assessing the socio-economic impact of the ministry’s projects, and N550 million for mandatory monitoring and inspection of the ministry’s 37 field offices.
Additionally, the ministry plans to spend N55 million to acquire a Toyota Hilux (2024 model), and N311 million will be used to digitalize filing and records management through the use of Electronic Content Management (ECM) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
The ministry’s ambitious plans also involve developing a Highways Road Access Management System (COHIMS) for N16.3 million, creating a harmonized web portal for N26.87 million, and investing N30.5 million in cloud connectivity and network infrastructure across its offices.
Furthermore, N160 million is allocated for constructing classrooms and offices at the Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Training School in Kuje, while N50 million is set aside for resuscitating skill acquisition programs in Abeokuta, Ijora, and Kuje.
In addition to these allocations, the ministry has budgeted N46.2 million for upgrading its internet and intranet applications and N30.3 million for enhancing its Network Operations Centre with high-end server infrastructure.
The budget also includes N75 million for assessing the implementation of the capital budget and N25.43 million for quarterly verification of revenue generation and remittances from field offices.
Monitoring and verification of road and bridge projects across the country will cost N30 million, while N4 million is set aside for procuring security documents for stock verification.
The proposed 2025 budget is currently under review by the National Assembly, where it is expected to attract significant public and legislative attention.
