Federal Ministry of Works

Sep

2026

LATEST PRESS

FG EMBARKS ON DECISIVE EMERGENCY INTERVENTION ON BENIN-ASABA EXPRESSWAY

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has kick-started the Federal Government’s emergency intervention on the Benin–Asaba Highway under the Ministry’s “Operation Rescue” initiative, aimed at restoring safe, smooth, and uninterrupted movement along the critical corridor. The intervention, to be carried out by the Ministry, through the hiring of equipment and direct implementation, is a demonstration of its determination to address the severe deterioration of sections of the road and bring immediate relief to motorists, commuters, businesses, and the affected communities. He made this known during the inauguration of *"Operation Rescue Benin -Asaba Expressway”* at Benin City, Edo State on Thursday, 24 September, 2026. The Benin–Asaba Highway is a strategic Federal Highway that commences at AIF Roundabout in Benin City, Edo State, and terminates at Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, with a distance of 125km. It was concessioned to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) by the immediate past administration but the handing over of the site was performed by the present one in March, 2025. However, it has since been proven that the Concessionaire lacks the technical and financial capabilities to execute the project. This was established by the *Independent Engineer (I.E.)* for the project, *Messrs Yolas Consultants Limited*.* Considering the plight of road users and the continued deterioration of the concessioned road, the I.E. advised the Ministry to urgently take all necessary steps to save it from further deterioration, avert further gridlock, assuage the suffering of motorists, as well as save the Federal Government from embarrassment.

Engr. Umahi has personally been monitoring the implementation of the concession project, through several site visits and issued instructions via the I.E. for the *Concessionaire* to stick to the Ministry’s standards and methodology, which were not complied with leading to the worsening of the road condition. Hence, the Ministry’s intervention to save the critically failed sections of the Expressway, through the deployment of equipment and personnel.

The Federal Ministry of Works, according to the Minister, is poised to alleviate the hardship being experienced by road users and communities on the corridor, alike. He reiterated that the Federal Government would not allow the condition of a major national artery to continue to undermine economic activities, the movement of people, goods, and services, as well as the safety of road users and the host communities. He stressed that the emergency intervention is focused on achieving immediate traffic relief, while providing a sustainable engineering solution to the identified problem spots.

According to him, the intervention is also being driven by the overriding need to protect public interest and ensure that Nigerians using the road are not left to bear the consequences of the deteriorating infrastructure occasioned by the lapses of the *Concessionaire.* The Minister emphasised that *” this is not a new contract but an immediate solution to the plight of road users.”* He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restoring critical road infrastructure across the country and ensuring that emergencies receive prompt and decisive attention.

*“Operation Rescue”* is about immediate action, restoration of movement, and protection of the travelling public and communities along the corridor. *“We are determined to address the failed sections and, thereafter, provide a durable solution that will serve Nigerians for many years,”* the Minister asserted.

Engr. Umahi called on road users and people along the corridor to cooperate with the Ministry’s officials and traffic-management personnel, as emergency works commence, assuring them that the Ministry would continue to monitor progress and take all necessary measures to minimise hardship during the period of the intervention. “*I am pleading with motorists to exercise patience, observe traffic-management directives and drive cautiously around active construction zones,* he stated.

Engr. Umahi highly commended President Tinubu's concern over the well-being of citizens, reiterating that *”the Ministry remains committed to restoring the Benin–Asaba Expressway to a safe, functional and durable condition in the overall interest of Nigerians and the national economy."*

Before this, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo had demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of his people during the protest in August, 2026 caused by the bad state of the road by immediately identifying with the situation and dispatching his Chief of Staff to appeal for calm and reassure the affected communities and motorists of immediate remedial action. Speaking at the Ceremony, His Excellency appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his prompt and decisive intervention, as well as the Minister of Works for his continued commitment to the provision of road infrastructure across the country.

The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Charles Anaogu, expressed much gratitude for the immediate response in restoring the all-important road. *”It is a well-desired action to better the lives of the people of Delta State and the general public,* he added.

The *representative of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),* applauded the President for his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. He also commended the Honourable Minister for his steadfastness to the welfare of the people of the zone and Nigerians, at large.

Delivering the Welcome Address earlier, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Phoebe William Bello, described the rescue operation as very timely in reinstating the critical transportation corridor connecting communities, facilitating mobility, commerce and trade between Edo and Delta States with the other parts of the country. Therefore,*its importance cannot be overstated,”* she noted.

The occasion was graced by lots of dignitaries and Goodwill Messages were delivered by the Deputy Governors of Edo and Delta States, the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Youth Leader of Ikpaba Hill Community, and other stakeholders, who unanimously eulogised the Federal Government’s proactive response.

Nov

2020

2021 Budget: Our Focus Remains Completion of Priority Projects - Fashola Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has restated that the focus of his ministry in the 2021 budget is completion of some priority road projects, especially those on routes A1-A9. Mr. Fashola spoke during the 2021 budget defence of his ministry before the House Committee on Works, Thursday, November 5, 2020. "The focus of the 2021 Budget Proposal of the Ministry remains the completion of some priority road projects, especially those on routes A1-A9" he said. The Minister explained to the committee that the disparity between the liabilities in unpaid certificates and the budgetary provisions over the years, compels the ministry to prioritize it's 2021 Capital Proposals in order to make appreciable impact. "Given the wide disparity between the liabilities in unpaid certificates in the total sum of N 392, 019, 827, 093.87k and the budgetary provisions over the years , it has become imperative that the Ministry prioritised it's 2021 Capital Proposals in order to make appreciable impact within the period 2021-2023, that can be physically experienced by road users" he said . Accordingly, the Minister said " Mr President had during the presentation of the 2021 budget proposals repeatedly emphasised the necessity to focus the budget on completion of projects. Therefore , the Ministry has given priority first to eighteen (18) roads/bridges projects that have already attained some appreciable physical achievement for completion within a 12-15 months period by (December, 2021)" Explaining further , Fashola stated that, among the prioritised road projects are roads and bridges that lead to ports and major agricultural hubs across the six (6) geo-political zones, pointing out that focus was also made on roads that attained seventy (70%) completion in order to achieve substantial completion levels. In the same vein, the Minister told the Committee that his Ministry has categorised the total of the 711 highway projects currently being undertaken over the six geo-political zones of the country according to funding mechanism. He listed the funding mechanism as:projects financed with Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), Highway Projects financed with Sovereign Sukuk Fund, , Highway Projects financed under Tax Credit and Highway Projects funded from Multilateral Loans. Speaking on the other targets for 2021, the Minister said " The Ministry has selected two (2) roads and a bridge per zone for enhanced funding in the 2021 budget to achieve appreciable progress on the projects. Also targeted for adequate funding is the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Counterpart Fund for the projects financed by the China Exim Bank " Speaking on the challenges, Fashola said " The major challenge to the ministry's efforts towards the timely completion of projects is inadequate budgetary provision and releases for projects to sustain annual cash-flow requirement levels " The Minister added that, the additional funding from the PIDF and SUKUK Bond has helped to bring some form of funding relief in addition to the Tax Credit Scheme. He, However, said that the Ministry's exposure continues to expand as the roads age and deteriorate and require attention. ...

Oct

2020

2021 Budget: FG To Focus On Completion Of Priority Road, Bridge Projects, Says Fashola * As Minister begins defense of budget for his Ministry before Senate Committee on Works * Calls for review of regulations guiding release of Funds for ongoing projects in order to pay for works done * Commends the Minister of Finance for committed efforts to raise funds for project execution * Receives commendations from Committee members for execution of projects in various parts of the country The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Wednesday began the defense of the budget proposals for his Ministry in the 2021 Budget with the assertion that focus would be on the completion of priority road projects, especially those on the routes A1-A9. The routes, which are those leading to ports and major agricultural hubs across the six geopolitical zones, Fashola said, include 18 road and bridge projects which have already attained some appreciable physical achievements for completion within a 12-15 months period (December 2021). Making his presentation, which encompassed the defense of the Ministry’s 2020 Budget Performance and 2021 Budget Proposals, before the Senate Committee on Works, the Minister, who said focus would also be on roads that have attained 70 per cent completion to enable such projects achieve substantial completion levels, added that the Ministry has also taken the maintenance of bridges as a priority “to avoid further deterioration of these critical structures”. He told the Committee Members, “What you will see of these roads, which crisscross our country from East to West and from North to South, is that they connect most of the important sectors of our economy. They connect our fuel depots so that we can move our fuel, they connect our manufacturing agro-industries so that we can get agricultural goods from farm to market for processing, they connect our ports so that we can do export and import business”. Saying that 18 of such roads had been identified by his Ministry, Fashola, who said the projects cut across the six geopolitical zones of the country declared, “If you accept our proposals, we should finish them between 12 and 15 months and take them of our list”, adding that on a graduating basis they were at different stages of completion. Listing some of the Bridges to include the Third Mainland Bridge with an Average Daily Traffic of 122,978, the Bodo Bonny Bridge, the Koton Karfe Bridge and the Makurdi Bridge among others, the Minister, who said they were part of about 50 Bridges being rehabilitated simultaneously among others, added that some of the bridges require replacement of expansion joints and hand rails while others require major underwater repairs of exposed piles, pile caps and piers. He said the Ministry also intends to complete the construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari Road and Ikom Bridge along Calabar-Ikom Road within available fund allocated to it adding that provisions had been made to ensure that the rehabilitation of the listed bridges was not hindered during the budget year. Fashola, who solicited the support of the law makers “to achieve these national objectives” , pointed out that in the course of each year there was need to address washouts and erosion envisaged with the subsiding discharge of floodwaters nationwide. “We are mindful of the limitation of resources but the frequency of these natural disasters caused by climate change and aging infrastructure must compel us to think of making provisions for emergencies”, the Minister said adding that Best Practice was between 5-10 percent of the Capital Budget. He said the Ministry has also selected two roads and a bridge in each of the six geopolitical zones as target projects for enhanced funding in the 2021 Budget to achieve appreciable progress on the projects adding that also targeted for adequate funding is the Federal Government of Nigeria Counterpart Fund for the projects financed by the China Exim Bank. On the interventions which the Ministry made between 2018 and 2019 on roads in tertiary institutions, the Minister, who noted that 18 out of a total of 43 such projects nationwide have been completed, however, added that the amendment in the 2020 Budget which cut the budget by about 17.35 percent, made it impossible to pay Contractors who have completed their projects as well as to complete the remaining projects, putting the amount owed the contractors at N3.4 billion while the amount needed to complete the rest stands at N3.54 billion. Calling for a review of regulations guiding the release of funds allocated for the execution of projects, Fashola who blamed the delay in funds release for the slow pace being experienced in the completion of the various projects, said most of the contractors were being owed significant amounts for completed projects adding that most of those still working on sites were doing so on trust. “The major challenge to the Ministry’s efforts towards the timely completion of projects is inadequate budgetary provision and releases for projects to sustain annual cash-flow requirement levels”, the Minister said adding that although the additional funding from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), the SUKUK Bond and the Tax Credit Scheme had been helpful in bringing some form of relief, “the Ministry’s exposure continues to expand as the roads age and deteriorate and require attention”. He said although the total sum of N276.244 billion provided for Highway projects in the 2021 Budget was an improvement over the N154.2 billion allocated to the sector in the 2020 Budget, it was still inadequate to address the funding challenges of highway projects where, according to him, the year 2021 project cash flow requirement was estimated at about N1.2 Trillion. Expatiating on the expansion of the exposure of the Ministry, Fashola, who again called for a halt to the introduction of new projects while old ones were yet to be completed, pointed out that various demands for new projects were still being made adding that currently and in spite of the dearth of resources, the Ministry was contending with 711 uncompleted projects, up from 601 last year. The Minister, who commended the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed for her committed efforts to source funds for the execution of capital projects, said in order to enable the Ministry make a significant impact in the improvement of the Federal road network “so as to boost economic activities and create more jobs”, it was imperative to improve the funding of highway projects by enhancing the release of funds for projects under the Amended 2020 Budget to defray the outstanding payments. He said there was also a need to enhance the budget ceiling for Highway projects in the 2021 Budget proposal to cover the execution of works during the year and leverage on other alternative funding sources like the SUKUK Bond and the PIDF. During the question and answer session, some Committee members, including the Chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero, commended the Minister and his team for the good works and the impacts they have made in project execution across the country. On the question of equity in the allocation of funds to projects which some of the members raised, Fashola clarified that some of the projects which seemingly had low allocations compared to others were being funded by other sources of funding like the SUKUK while the one with seeming high allocation was funded through China Exim Bank with Nigeria contributing a small percentage as Counterpart Fund. Earlier in his Welcome remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adamu Aliero, said the Senate Committee was focusing on the Infrastructure based on the emphasis laid on that sector by President Muhammadu Buhari during his 2021 Budget Presentation adding that although allocation to the Ministry of works remained one of the highest, it was still not enough to address the challenges of infrastructure development in the country especially the road network. Some Committee members present included, Senator Gabriel Suswan, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Kabiru Gaya, among other distinguished Senators while the Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe and Directors from the Ministry. ...

Oct

2020

FG To Focus on Completion Of Priority Road Projects In 2021 - Fashola The Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has said that the focus of the 2021 Budget Proposal of the Ministry remains the completion of priority road projects in the country. The Minister who stated this during the Presentation and Defence of the Ministry’s 2021 Budget before the Senate Committee on Works said that given the wide disparity between the Ministry’s liabilities in unpaid certificates and the volume of road projects, it has become imperative for the Ministry to prioritize its 2021 Capital proposal in order to make appreciable impact in road infrastructure development. He said that Ministry was currently undertaking a total of 711 Highway Projects spread over the Six Geo-Political Zones of the country. The 711 on-going road projects were categorized according to funding mechanisms which included; Highway Projects financed with Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), Highway Projects financed with Sovereign Sukuk Fund, Highway Projects financed under Tax Credit and Highway Projects funded from Multilateral. Speaking on Highway Projects financed with the Sovereign Sukuk Fund, he explained that the Ministry was financing a total of 44 roads and bridges across the country using the 2020 Sovereign Sukuk issuance. He added that the roads were mainly dual carriageways on the major arterial routes A1 to A9 on the Federal road networks. On the 2021 Budget proposal, he said that the focus of the Ministry remained the completion of some priority road projects especially those on routes A1 to A9 saying that these roads and bridges lead to ports and major agricultural hubs across the six Geo-Political Zones of the country. In furtherance to this, he said Mr. President has repeatedly emphasized the need to focus budget on completion of projects. “Therefore, the Ministry has given priority first to about 18 road and bridge projects that have attained some appreciable level of completion. We are focusing on roads that have attained 70 percent completion levels,” he said. Fashola appealed to members of the National Assembly and other well-meaning Nigerians to build a national consensus as adults to stop the agitation for new road projects but to agree on completion of ongoing road projects that cut across the six Geo-political zones of the country due to budgetary constraints. On the impact the proposed 2021 budget would have on the economy and its citizenry, he said: “In order to enable the Ministry make a significant impact in the improvement of the Federal road networks to boost economic activities and create jobs, it is imperative to improve the funding of Highway Projects by releasing funds for the projects under the Amended 2020 Budget to defray the outstanding payments,” he said. He also appealed that budget ceiling for Highway Projects in the 2021 Budget proposal be made to cover the execution of works during the year as well as leveraging on other alternative funding sources like the Sukuk Bond and the PIDF. Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aliero stated that although budgetary allocation to the Ministry remained one of the highest, but was not enough looking at the humongous work to be done on the nation’s roads and the current debt profile of the Ministry. The Chairman assured the Minister that the Committee would continue to work with the Ministry to ensure that it succeeds. “The Committee is poised to work in line with the principles of the 2021 Budget. We will strengthen the outcome of our oversight duties,” he said. ...