Federal Ministry of Works

Jun

2026

LATEST PRESS

CEMENT MANUFACTURERS MUST REDUCE PRICES, TINUBU IS RETAKING NIGERIA — UMAHI

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has called on cement manufacturers across the country to immediately reduce the price of cement, insisting that the current cost of the product is placing pressure on ongoing infrastructure projects and increasing demands for contract variations.

Umahi made the call while delivering keynote address at the official unveiling of the new corporate identity of Lafarge, now rebranded as HBM, a member of the HUAXIN Group, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel on June 21, 2026.

Speaking before industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders, the Minister emphasized that the Federal Government would engage cement manufacturers from July 1 to address the issue of cement prices. “I want to insist that Lafarge now HBM and other manufacturers of cement should reduce their prices,” Umahi declared.

“We shall be engaging on this from First of July. Manufacturer of Cement must reduce their prices because the contractors are chocking me to review their contracts. But nobody is reviewing anybody’s contract. It’s the manufacturers of cement that should review their cost.”

The Minister noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is investing heavily in critical infrastructure across the country, creating unprecedented opportunities for manufacturers and investors. He urged HBM and other industry players to expand their capacity to meet the growing demands of the nation’s infrastructure revolution.

Commending the company on its transition and renewed commitment to the Nigerian market, Umahi assured the management of government support and partnership. “I commend you very highly and I say welcome onboard and we are going to work together. The market is smaller than what the president is doing. So, enlarge your coast,” he said.

The Minister used the occasion to highlight the remarkable progress being recorded under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of infrastructure development. He pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of the evidences of the administration’s bold vision and commitment to national transformation.

According to him, the quality and scale of the project have continued to attract global attention and admiration. “When the Dudge Bank came to evaluate our project, they said it was undervalued and that the project is of topmost quality. Today, Our neighboring nations are coming to steal the technology of the coastal highway.”

Umahi expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the leadership and political will driving the country’s infrastructure renaissance, assuring Nigerians that the administration remains firmly on course to restore national prosperity. “I want to use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I commit that Mr. President is committed to retake this country. The President knows what he is doing. The vision and mission are achievable and we are on course and this country will be taken back for the good of Nigerians.”

Sep

2023

The Ongoing Rehabilitation of Ozalla - Akpugo - Amagunze - Ihuokpara - Nkomoro - Isu - Onicha (Enugu - Onitsha) With A Spur to Onunwere in Enugu State Is Commendable - Umahi Minister of Works Engr. Dave Umahi has commended the ongoing rehabilitation of Ozalla - Akpugo -Amagunze - Ihuokpara - Nkomoro - Isu - Onitsha (Enugu - Onitsha) with a spur to Onunwere, Enugu State, by Arab contractors Nigeria Limited. The Minister made the commendation while on inspection tour of the road on Tuesday September 5, 2023. He pointed out some faults on the road to be as a result of using bad asphalt which led to the failure of the road, so the contractor has been directed to go back, redesign 1.6 kilometer and ensure the needed attention on rigid pavement on the right-hand side. While addressing Pressmen, Umahi, attributed the major problem to be funding. In his words, "but I will acknowledge that our major problem is the issue of funding, there is no way any annual budget can fund it with Sukuk, it's difficult. So, we have to work out issues and see how we can source for the money". He added. In his address, Director Highways in charge of the South East, Engr. Bide Obioha shed more light on the contract work. ...

Sep

2023

South East: Redesign the Failed Portions with Concrete Pavement - Umahi The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed that the failed portions of the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway Section III: Enugu – Lokpanta in Enugu State should be redesigned with concrete pavement. The Minister stated this at the inspection of the road which marks the beginning of his South East Road inspection tour scheduled to take place throughout the week starting from Tuesday 5th September – Saturday 9th September 2023. Umahi reaffirmed that construction work on the federal roads must be done right to avoid coming back to redo an already completed work, he commented on some portions where the binder wearing has been completed but has now failed. “We noticed a couple of failures in some completed and uncompleted sections, contractors must go back and amend them, I believe that bad asphalt resulted to the failure and we cannot take that” ‘he said. The Minister pointed out that some portions of the expressway inspected so far needs urgent and immediate attention and directed the Director in charge of the South East geo-political zone, Engr. Bede Obioha from the Ministry to come up with recommendations for the accomplishment of his directives. “From Km 0+00 left hand side needed immediate attention up to Ozalla and should be amended on rigid pavement and the entire right-hand side also must be on same rigid pavement, Director Highways south East take note. Umahi commended the contractor for the work done so far and encouraged them to continue to keep the pace and on the issue of finance, the Ministry will do their best to make sure fund is provided. Addressing the Minister earlier, the Director Highways South East, Engr. Bede Obioha briefed the Minister on the project and also assured him that all the recommendations sited shall be corrected. The Contractor, Messrs. CGC Nigeria Limited thanked the Minister for visiting the site and promised to work on the failed portions but revealed that the challenge they have is paucity of fund as well as the rainy season, after which, the failed portions shall be corrected. ...

Sep

2023

Ondo State Hails the Appointment of Minister of Works. .....Ooni Of Ife, Senator Iyiola Omisore Discuss Osun Roads with Umahi The Honourable Minister of Works Engr David Nweze Umahi has explained the reasons of his working visit to the South West and other regions of the country, he said “I have been in Lagos and South West since Monday to evaluate the ongoing projects especially bridges that are so important to Lagos economy, the issue of concrete technology on our roads and review of road contracts, that is why we are going around to see how we can redesign our roads with concrete pavement”. He made these remarks while meeting with the Deputy Governor of Ondo State Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa who received him on behalf of the state. The Minister during his visit also explained how Ondo State can partner with the Federal Government through the Highway Development Initiative (HDMI) in building Federal Government roads in Ondo State. The Minister said ‘Most Federal roads are connecting one state to the other and when such is cut off the economic viability of such states are in trouble, that is why I am presenting to the Economic Council to allow us to access funds to conclude some of these roads and if we don’t conclude them, it will impact negatively on these states economy.” The Deputy Governor who spoke on behalf of Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu CON SAN during the meeting in the Governor's office said “Your appointment has not come to us as a surprise, congratulations on your nomination, clearance and inauguration by Mr. President it is a well-deserved appointment , because as a former Governor your antecedent made you the first among the rest and your experience in the terrain of infrastructural development and governance is in no small measure”. The Deputy Governor said "the zeal at which you have commenced official engagement with your visit to the South West zone has given us excitement that better days are here for real”. He said the “APC administration in this state has taken a giant stride in infrastructural development by building quality roads in all the Sectorial district of the state”. Earlier, the Minister after his tour of the dualization of lbadan road (Mayfair Junction)- Lagere-Iremo –Enuwa- Ilesha Bye-Pass in Osun State paid a courtesy visit on the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, (Ọjájá II) CFR with Senator Iyiola Ajani Omisore at the Ooni palace where the Minister explained to them the advantages of building roads with concrete in Osun State. ...

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2025

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Aug

2018

Welcome Address By The Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Works And Transport, Kebbi State On The Occasion Of The 24th National Council On Works Meeting In Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State

On behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Matawalen Gwandu and hospitable people of Kebbi State, I humbly welcome here in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, “The Land of Equity”.

2. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Ensuring Value for Money in Nigerian Highways Development”, which literally means optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcome.

3. A limited perception of the benefit derived from the huge investment in Highway projects, believes that, the ends will not justify the means, in terms of resources invested and the intended outcome. However, a wider perception of it shows that the benefit involved is numerous, among which are the following:-

(i) highway projects enhance free movement of people, goods and services, thereby fostering economic, cultural, agricultural and political development;
(ii) Highway projects, link various communities, regions and nations, thereby enhancing regional and international relationship;
(iii) Highway projects, promote peaceful co-existence between various communities, thereby enhancing social development.
This is to mention just a few.

4. The theme seeks for the use of technical knowledge and methods to achieve qualitative works on all Highway projects, ensuring value for money.

5. At this juncture, I would like to commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for hosting this important meeting for the first time in the history of the state.

6. The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, also needs to be commended for approving the hosting right to Kebbi State.

7. The Organizing Committee of Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing will also not be left behind in the commendation for selecting a theme that encompasses all spheres of life, as no matter how small a business may be, one needs value for his investment.

8. As for the delegates, I wish you an interesting and fruitful deliberations and also call upon you to feel free and visit historic places in Kebbi State, being a home to two famous international festivals of fishing in Argungu and Uhola in Zuru.

9. Once again, I welcome you all to the 24th Meeting of National Council on Works.
GOD Bless Kebbi State
GOD bless Nigeria.

THANK YOU

Speeches

Feb

2017

Remarks By Honourable Minister At The Inauguration Of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Commissioners

P R O T O C O L S
Welcome to this solemn but important event that has the propensity to profoundly and positively impact the electricity sector of our economy.

Pursuant to the nomination of suitably qualified Nigerians by Mr. President and the confirmation of the Senate, we gather to inaugurate:

1. Messrs Sanusi Garba, an Engineer (Electrical)-Vice Chairman
2. Professor Frank Okafor, an Engineer (Electrical)
3. Dafe C. Akpeneye, a Legal Practitioner
4. Nathan Roger Shatti, an Accountant
5. Dr. Musiliu O. Oseni, an Economist
6. Dr. Moses Arigu, a Scientist & Mathematician

as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

They have been chosen in the manner prescribed by law; and I particularly welcome their arrival for many reasons:
a) Provides stability in governance regulatory action and institution building to the sector; and
b) It allows the Ministry to focus on policy; coordination and completion of on-going Generation and Transmission projects.

I will like to thank Dr. Anthony Akah, who acted in capacity of CEO of NERC for about a year. His service to his country is highly appreciated and he must now hand over to the Vice-Chairman and his fellow Commissioners and return to his normal schedule of duties.

For the information of the public, this occasion provides the opportunity to again share knowledge with ourselves about the Nigerian Power Sector.

The first thing to emphasize is that the power sector has been privatized.

This process occurred and was concluded in November, 2013; and has resulted in the vesting of majority of Power Generation and Power Distribution in the hands of private owners.

So for the avoidance of doubt, power is now in private hands, and government is now largely a policy maker, and Regulator. Policy is the work of the Ministry and as I said, the completion of on-going Generation projects and Transmission projects.

Regulation is the work of NERC acting through the Commissioners we inaugurate today.

So for all those seeking license to generate power, to build coal and solar plants, and all other similar proposals, your letters should go to NERC not to the Ministry – Although you can copy us for information.

For all those who have issues with Meters, Estimated Billing, Customer Service issue, this is the work of NERC to ensure that the DISCOs perform and I urge you to direct your complaints to them, and keep us informed about the service they render to you, because we oversee them; but will not interfere with their work.

To NERC and the new Commissioners, I welcome you on board.

Be firm, but fair.

Regulate but be business oriented.

Remember that regulations are Rules; and Rules are made for us, we are not made for the Rules. Regulate with the understanding that the industry is young, in Transition and needs support.

I wish you success and you can count on the support of the Ministry.

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
HONOURABLE MINISTER OF POWER, WORKS & HOUSING

7TH FEBRUARY, 2017.