Federal Ministry of Works

Mar

2026

LATEST PRESS

UMAHI DECLARES AN END TO YEARS OF DEADLY TRAPS AND GRIDLOCK ON THE ENUGU–ONITSHA EXPRESSWAY, SETS MARCH 31 DEADLINE FOR REOPENING

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON has declared that the long-troubled Enugu–Onitsha Expressway is fast shedding its grim past, as the Federal Government intensifies a sweeping infrastructure upgrade across the South-East under the President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Umahi made the declaration on Monday, March 23, 2026, during an inspection of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover, where he expressed confidence that the era of consistent fatal accidents, endless traffic, and public frustration along the road is coming to an end.

“I’m going round the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be commissioned before May 29th by Mr President. There are mega project that the President will be available for before May 29th and we mean it,” the Minister said.

Once regarded as one of the most dangerous highways in the region, the Enugu–Onitsha road had for years been plagued by tanker explosions, loss of lives, and economic disruptions. But Umahi said decisive intervention by the Tinubu administration has changed the trajectory.

“Now this route, the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, you recall that when we came on board, everyday, people were talking about this road. There were a lot of tanker accidents, a lot of people died and so forth. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the President has swinged into action,” he stated.

The Minister disclosed that the dual carriageway, which spans 107 kilometres on each side, is undergoing a major structural shift, with a significant portion being converted from asphalt to concrete to ensure durability.

“It is not only that we are repairing this road… about half of it is going on to be concrete. I have no confidence in asphalt I continue to say it. By the time the asphalt fail we will have 50 percent of the road still intact and if it fails within the second tenure of the president then be rest assured that we will fix it,” he said.

He added that the same approach is being extended to sections in Anambra State, including the head bridge axis, where an initial asphalt design is being replaced with concrete pavement to align with modern highway standards.

“At the head Bridge we have 39k, we’re changing that to concrete so that we can have this coastal road type of road pavement there in Anambra and here in Enugu,”.

Beyond reconstruction, the project is also being enhanced with solar-powered street lighting and environmental features aimed at improving safety and sustainability.

“So that is going to happen but then not only that. We are putting solar light both for the one that was constructed before us and the one that is being done by us. Within the first one week we will have solar light up to this 1km and we continue we are also going to plant trees which is very important,” he added.

The Minister urged the people of the South-East to recognise the level of federal intervention in the region, noting that such attention to infrastructure was previously lacking.

“The people of South East have to be very grateful to Mr President. The reason is that we never had it like this. I was governor for 8 years and I can’t think of any Federal road project in Ebonyi State,” he said.

He also cautioned against divisive narratives, warning that some actors were misleading the public for selfish interests.

“I want to ask our people to be very very careful, there are people that pretend that they are helping us but they actually inciting us against government… we need to know when people are genuinely interested in our case,” he said.

Calling for sustained support for President Tinubu, Umahi described the ongoing works as part of a broader effort to correct past neglect and integrate the South-East more fully into national development.

“Let us allow this man that have started to right the wrong metted on us as the people of Southeast in the past. Let us allow him the next four years and we will be very much fully integrated,” he stated, adding, “To know the revolution that is going on in infrastructure… this is the Biafra we are looking for.”

As a major milestone, the Minister directed that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway be reopened for public use on or before March 31.

“I have given the controller the authority, by the 31st or before, he should call the press to open this road, call the people of South East… let them know that this road is open for travel and that will be our Easter celebration,”.

Addressing concerns over project costs, Umahi clarified that the Ministry of Works does not unilaterally determine project pricing, noting that approvals pass through multiple regulatory layers, including the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council.

“I’m not the final authority when it comes to the cost of a project, there are layers of approval, the Bureau of Public Procurement, their own stands and not my own,” he explained.

He maintained that the standard being applied to the Enugu–Onitsha project is consistent with major road projects across the country.

“The same road architecture as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway… so no discrimination with the president, everybody is the same,” Umahi said.

Jun

2025

EMPOWERING ENGINEERS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN TRAINING TO DELIVER SAFER AND STRONGER ROADS The Federal Ministry of Works, under the strategic leadership of the Honourable Minister, Engr. David Umahi, CON, and the Honourable Minister of State, Hon. Bello M. Goronyo, Esq., organised a three-day zonal capacity-building training for engineers, technologists, and technicians in the North Central zone. As part of this initiative, the training commenced on Tuesday, 24th June 2025 at the Pavement Evaluation Unit, Sheda, Kwali Area Council, the FCT, where participants gathered for intensive knowledge-sharing and technical skill enhancement tailored to the evolving demands of modern infrastructure delivery. In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, FNSE, emphasised that the programme, approved by the Honourable Minister, aims to address the widening generational and capacity gaps caused by the recent retirement of a significant number of senior engineers and the anticipated exit of more within the year. He noted that organising the training on a zonal basis ensures efficient resource management while encouraging broader participation across the federation. The training refreshes core competencies in highway and bridge design, project and contract management, and applicable quality assurance procedures, while promoting cross-functional exposure to develop versatile, all-around professionals. Highlighting the importance of dynamic field experience, the Permanent Secretary underscored the need to rotate engineers across different regions and departments, stating that long-term stay in a single location or unit limits professional growth and technical adaptability. Addressing the recruitment gap within the service, he explained that a comprehensive personnel audit had been conducted and submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for further consideration. He also called on young professionals to invest in self-development and embrace competence as a prerequisite for employability in a modern public service environment, where performance now drives progression. Reaffirming the Ministry’s zero tolerance for misconduct, he noted that the civil service has well-established disciplinary frameworks across all cadres and that infractions will be met with appropriate sanctions through existing regulations. The technical sessions featured expert-led lectures, including “Effective Supervision of Federal Highway Projects” by Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi, PhD, emphasised the urgency of addressing workforce overload and called for increased manpower to support the rising volume of national projects, while urging field engineers to uphold discipline and deliver consistently despite constraints. Engr. C. Shausu delivered a session on “ _Effective Communication Skills,”_ highlighting the critical role of communication in project coordination and interdepartmental collaboration. Additionally, “Ensuring Safety in Project Sites” was delivered by Engr. A.A. Adebiyi stressed the importance of enforcing safety protocols and maintaining high standards to protect lives and infrastructure. Speaking on the broader significance of the programme, the Director, Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, described the training as a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment to the professional development and technical performance of its workforce, urging participants to embrace their roles with renewed dedication and a stronger sense of national duty. From the participants’ perspective, the training was described as enriching and transformative, with attendees affirming that the sessions provided valuable insights into professional best practices and identified key areas for improvement to enhance effective project delivery. In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary reminded participants that the training was not merely academic, but a moral and professional awakening. He called on engineers to recommit to excellence, uphold ethical standards, and demonstrate the technical leadership the Ministry represents. “Let this engagement reset our priorities and rekindle our pride as engineers. We must rise above complacency- we must deliver,” he charged. This training forms part of a broader national initiative approved by the Honourable Minister to strengthen technical capacity, reinforce professionalism, and ensure that the Federal Ministry of Works remains at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure development across Nigeria. ...

Jun

2025

HON MINISTER OF WORKS, DEPLOYS MINISTRY’S PERSONNEL, MAINTENANCE TEAM OF CONCESSIONAIRE TO THE RECENTLY FLOODED SECTION OF COMPLETED LAFIA-MAKURDI ROAD, TASKS THEM ON PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FLOODING ALONG THE CARRIAGEWAY -APOLOGIZES TO MR. PRESIDENT, ROAD USERS FOR THE EMBARRASSMENT CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF THE CONCESSIONAIRE WHOSE DUTY IS TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE ROAD. In a passionate response to the flooding situation that occurred along Lafia-Makurdi road that severely disrupted traffic flow on 18th June 2025, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON has directed the immediate deployment of the Ministry’s personnel and the maintenance team of China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company, concessionaire for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road to bring effective and permanent solution to flood disturbances along the road. In a Press Statement made in his office on 19th June 2025, the Honourable Minister condemned the unfortunate negligence by the concessionaire whose duty under the Highways Development Management Initiative (HDMI) of the Federal Government is to operate and maintain the road. “We have got information on the unfortunate flooding of a section of Keffi-Makurdi road which is under HDMI, that is, a PPP with China Harbour. We know that the project has been completed and it is tolled, but unfortunately yesterday there were a lot of debris that covered an existing culvert there and that led to flooding but in the midst of that rain we deployed our Ministry of Works personnel in Makurdi State and also the China Harbour personnel and they had to go to the inlet of the culvert and removed all the debris and the flood has been totally evacuated.” That section of the road has been reinstated He directed the concessionaire to critically assess the primary cause, provide a permanent solution to flooding along the carriageway, and take all steps necessary to prevent future occurrence. "We apologize very profusely to Mr. President and Nigerians, for the embarrassment, this unfortunate incident caused him and Nigerians." He commended the President for his fatherly intervention in the unfortunate incident in Benue State. "We also commend Mr. President very highly for his fatherly role in Benue State. His visit there has made a lot of impact in the lives of the people of Benue State and everyone living in that place. With God on his side, Benue people shall see sustainable peace and progress." Speaking earlier during the courtesy visit of the Managing Director/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, Nneka Enwereji, the Honourable Minister highlighted some of the initiatives of Federal Government of Nigeria under the present administration to improve the quantity and quality of the road assets in Nigeria, especially the initiative to construct the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects which are critical road infrastructure necessary for the economic advancement of the nation. He sought for the partnership of the bank by investing on any of the Renewed Hope Legacy Projects “I'm happy to have Citibank Executives here in my office today to discuss how they can partner with us over the four Legacy Projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and also other infrastructural developments in the country. We have had a very fruitful meeting, and I am very happy that the efforts of Mr President on external inflow is yielding desired result and that the international community has commended him very highly on his transformative reforms. This project shall be realized by the courage and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.” In her mission statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, expressed the willingness of the Bank to partner with Federal Government of Nigeria through sustainable investment and funding in the development of those projects that would make a positive impact to the progress of the country. She expressed pleasure over the impressive strides of the Renewed Hope administration, which are necessary to build investor’s confidence. “We are here as Citibank to discuss how we can effectively partner with you,to know the project you are undertaking, and see how we can leverage the access that we have to support some of those projects and make a positive impact to the progress of the country. We want to discuss some of the specifics and some of the projects that we are already looking at in the country. We are very impressed with the big strides that you are making. And we want to support that as much as we can.” Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works ...

Jun

2025

PPP IS SOLE DRIVER OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT -Barrister Goronyo The Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit 2025, hosted by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), had the theme: Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda". Its aim was to assemble policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to engage in insightful discussions about the evolving landscape of infrastructure in Nigeria and its global implications. The Summit, which held on June 17 and 18 at the State House Banquet Hall and Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Nigeria, also explored how collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors can drive transformative change. The Federal Ministry of Works, which is a major stakeholder in this initiative, was represented at the event by its Minister of State, Barrister Bello Mohammed Goronyo, who presented to the Summit, the perspective of his ministry on Highway Development and Management Initiative ( HDMI) and various concessions under PPP arrangements like the 227.2km Akwanga-Lafiya -keffi and the recently signed 127km Benin-Asaba Barrister Goronyo actively participated in and impacted on.the panel discussion, where he emphasised the commitment of the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinibu to fix Nigeria's infrastructural deficit, revealing that Nigeria has over 200,000km of roads 35,000,km of which are of Federal. He told the Summit that the current government inherited over 2,600projects, with a total worth of about 19 trillion, explaining that since the nation's budget cannot fund these projects, there is a necessity for PPP as a feasible option. The Minister pointed to the need for concessionaires to be open and transparent in their agreement because "we cannot in the name of PPP, mortgage our country by signing agreements that tend to favour concessionaires." Barrister Goronyo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for recognising infrastructure as key driver of economic growth and development. ...

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Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Mar

2022

FG Scales Up Infrastructure Development in Tertiary Institutions

Hands Over 1.1km road to Fed. Poly Ukana-Uyo

76 Tertiary Institutions to benefit

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has again lived up to its campaign promise of bridging the infrastructural gaps in the country by providing accessible roads network in tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones.

That was evident as a fully rehabilitated and constructed 1.1 kilometre road at the Federal Polytecnic Ukana-Uyo in Awka Ibom State executed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was commissioned and handed over to the institution on Tuesday, March 29,2022 by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

Represented at the ceremony by the Federal Controller Works in Akwa Ibom State, Engr.Gabriel Akinwande said, " The gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools."

Fashola described the construction of internal roads at various campuses as a deliberate step by government to positively impact on the quality of education as well as create a conducive learning environment for renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes by students.

'' We have successfully intervened in the internal road networks of 46 tertiary institutions and have handed over 29 as at 2021.We now have another 17 ready to be handed over with about 30 more roads in similar institutions across the country receiving attention of the Buhari-led administration," he added.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Rector of the Federal Polytecnic Ukana,
Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Udak Ukekpe appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his interest in enhancing education in the country through the provision of logistics like the construction of internal road network in tertiary institutions.

He added that the road rehabilitation was timely and will add great value to the students and other road users in the campus, noting that the action of the Federal Government will also go a long way in addressing the infrastructural deficit in the institution.

Dr. Ukekpe pleaded with the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN to further assist the institution in the remaining 3.1km road left to be covered.

In an Interview, the Vice President of the Students Union Government (SUG) Ms. Blessing Mbonisa said the construction of the road had made the school opened to everyone and that it has boosted the morale of the students academics.

A lecturer, the coordinator of Mechanical Engineering Department, Engineer Emabong Etieakpan, while appreciating the Minister, pointed out that the road has been helpful to both staff and students most especially the motorists and those walking in and out of the school.

“There was no road in this place before. It was a busy area that nobody can access, but now, with the road construction, students can now easily go to their lecture rooms without flood which was not like that before."

The event was well attended by students, staff and board of directors of the school as well as the traditional leader of Ukana West in person of His Royal Highness Okuku Sylvanus Obot Ekanem.

SPEECHES

Jun

2022

Speech by President Muhammadu Buhari Represented by The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu at The Commissioning and Handover of Hadeija – Nguru Road, Phase II (Kirikasama-Nguru) in Jigawa State on Saturday 18th June, 2022.

On behalf of the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari, I bring best wishes to the Government and people of Jigawa State.

Our commitment to improving road transport infrastructure, our determination to improve the ease of doing business, create jobs and prosperity to lift people out of poverty brings us here today because the results of our investment are manifesting.

I can confidently say that as we enter the final lap of the tenure of the Buhari administration we are also entering a season of completion and delivery of projects.

As you can all see, we are handing over today the 33 Kilometre Road, which links Hadeijia-Kirikasama in Jigawa State. A very important Road that connects agrarian and trading communities to ease the movement of their farm products.

By linking these communities together, this road becomes a critical component of our national road network.

This road has been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship and if is well used and not abused, it should last for the designed service life.

Road abuse takes many forms such as overloading of vehicles and trucks which accelerates pavement damage, spilling of petroleum products, which dissolves all the components and allows water to penetrate, and converting the road shoulders to permanent parking places, that brings the onset of road failure from the shoulder.

We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them.

The road is also a story of the capacity of our people. The patriotic Nigerians who were employed directly to build this road, the scores of suppliers employed indirectly who are responsible for providing the machines utilized in the construction.

These are not only nation builders to whom we offer our salutations, they are the heart of the Nigerian economy, the micro, small and medium enterprises that drive our economic growth.

This road is also a statement of economic efficiency and ease of doing business.

This is because the travel time before construction has now reduced since the completion of the road.
Of course, this road is part of our many roads to prosperity because reduced journey times means reduced expense on travel, because time is money.

This road also symbolizes change as you will observe in the road furniture, such as the lane markings and Route Assurance signs.

These components had all but disappeared on our highways but our commitment to change has restored them, with the markings helping drivers to achieve better lane management and control of their vehicles; while the Route Assurance signs provide information about how much further or longer, the drivers and commuters have to travel and the distance to the next village, town or state.

Of course, another element of change is the travel experience on a new and well-built road from the old and previously unmotorable road.

Now that we have this new and well-built road, we have duties to ourselves and to other road users.
One of those duties is to ensure that we drive in accordance with the law as stipulated in the Highway Code.

Accordingly, for the avoidance of any doubt, I wish to reiterate that the maximum driving speed on this and other Federal Highways nationwide is 100 (ONE HUNDRED) KM PER HOUR and no more.
On behalf of the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari, I formally declare this Hadeijia-Nguru Road in Jigawa State completed and open for public use.

For your safety and that of other road users, I implore you not to exceed 100 KM PER HOUR.
We want you alive to witness and be part of the prosperity and promise of Nigeria.

I wish you safe and happy motoring.

Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu
Honourable Minister of Water Resources