The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, lamented Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture, the act she said is diminishing the value of the country’s infrastructure and slowing its economic development.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated this on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba.
She noted that budgetary allocations alone would not translate into development without effective execution and proper maintenance of infrastructure.
The former Minister of Finance stressed the need for governments at all levels, to focus not only on initiating new projects but also on preserving existing infrastructure to maximise economic returns.
She called for improvements in critical infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness.
“The fact is that endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads or good maintenance.
“We lack a maintenance culture in the country. I have to say that. I am Nigerian, but we need that,” she said.
The three-day summit, organised by the Delta State Government, is aimed at attracting investments and promoting economic growth in the state.
The event, declared open by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, drew policymakers, investors and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria, including delegations from China and Brazil.
