The 2026 finances proposal has positioned the Federal Ministry of Works on the centre of a recent controversy.
This adopted the invention of a number of non-infrastructure empowerment initiatives operating into tons of of tens of millions of naira underneath the ministry’s allocations.
Particulars from the 2026 Appropriation Invoice present that the Federal Ministry of Works plans to spend over ₦500 million on programmes linked to abilities coaching, empowerment schemes, and social interventions throughout a number of states.
The finances doc signifies that these allocations cowl actions comparable to coaching hairdressers and make-up artists, distributing grinding machines, bikes, mini-vans, and funding anti-drug abuse campaigns.
These initiatives are unfold throughout totally different geopolitical zones of the nation.
One of many allocations reveals that ₦35 million has been earmarked for the distribution of grinding machines to ladies in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency within the South-South. The doc didn’t specify the variety of beneficiaries or machines to be provided.
One other ₦35 million is listed for the coaching and empowerment of ladies in hairdressing, make-up, and cleaning soap production in Mikang, Shandam, and Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency of Plateau State within the North-Central zone.
Within the North-East, the ministry plans to spend ₦70 million on ability acquisition and the supply of commerce tools for teens, ladies, and 7 retirees within the Inyamaltu/Deba space of Gombe State.
The finances additionally offers for ₦70 million for use in supplying mini pick-up vans, mini shuttle buses, and bikes to constituents in Abakaliki Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State within the South-East.
One other line merchandise consists of funding for coaching, sensitisation, advocacy, and youth empowerment programmes focused at drug abuse in Zamfara State, positioned within the North-West.
Related constituency-based initiatives seem in different components of the finances underneath the ministry.
However, the presence of those empowerment and social intervention initiatives underneath the Ministry of Works has raised considerations in regards to the core mandate of the ministry, which is primarily accountable for highway building, rehabilitation, and different federal infrastructure.