The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has urged Nigerians to vote only for political leaders who will guarantee the completion of projects by the ruling APC regime in the 2023 general elections.

Mr Fashola gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) led by its president Quadri Olaleye paid him a courtesy visit.

The TUC delegation had raised the fear of possible abandonment of ongoing projects at the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

Mr Fashola urged Nigerians to consciously vote for authentic leaders who would ensure the completion of ongoing projects.

Speaking further on the fear of owing contractors due to the lack of funds, the minister said the tax credit intervention of N621 billion by the NNPC had helped ensure payment to contractors.

“Debt for infrastructure is an investment in the future, and if we set out to do only what we can complete, that means we will not do anything,“ he said.

On the concern of TUC that its members were not benefitting from the National Housing Project (NHP), Mr Fashola assured them that they would benefit if they applied.

He also assured them that more housing estates would soon be inaugurated and the delivery of new state secretariats in Nasarawa, Zamfara, and Ekiti.

The TUC president commended the minister for the projects completed and inaugurated nationwide. Mr Olaleye said the union was concerned about the other ongoing constructions that might not be completed before the 2023 general elections due to the lack of funds.

He listed some of the projects to include the Second Niger Bridge and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to him, the union’s concern is that if the construction companies are not paid, they will be out of business which would have multiplier effects on TUC members. 

(NAN)