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Every year, between July and September/October, road construction and rehabilitation work is generally suspended/slowed in Nigeria (esp across Southern Nigeria), because of the rains.
A couple of interesting implications:
A couple of interesting implications:
New Governors are sworn-in end May (excl those States that have dropped off the cycle), just as the rains are about to start. What this means is that in transition years, it’s a struggle for new Governors to make their mark felt in Infra in first six months of assuming office.
In recent years Nigeria’s federal budget has been passed around May/June, just as the rains are gathering for their annual festival. June passage therefore a problem, from an Infra spending POV. Real work doesn’t/can’t start for months. Another reason why Jan-Dec cycle necessary
If Budget takes off in January you have a few months of space to make an impact in road construction and repairs, before things slow down. If it takes off in June, it’s one chance for a few months. Citizens get impatient, justifiably.
Took these photos in January 2019. Marks showing the difference in water levels between rainy & dry seasons, on the site of 2nd Niger Bridge (Asaba/Onitsha). At the peak of the rains work virtually has to come to a halt. So it’s a race against time to get as much as possible done 
