Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that the federal government needs $35bn to be able to embark on the construction of concrete roads across the country.

He noted that government was planning a partnership with a commercial bank which will be assented to by the federal executive council.

Umahi who made the revelation when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaib Audu, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, also noted that the now moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company would provide 16 per cent of the steel material needed for the construction of Nigeria’s roads in concrete pavement.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Orji Uchenna, the minister said the meeting underscored the imperative of coordination, cooperation, and coherence in the execution of the federal government’s action plans for national development.