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.
EMERGENCY ROAD INTERVENTION COMMISSIONED AS SSA-P LEADS STAKEHOLDERS ON NATIONAL MEDIA TOUR TO INSPECT KOGI PROJECTS As part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to deliver quality infrastructure across the nation, ensure the effective execution of Federal road projects, and improve safety on critical highways, the Federal Ministry of Works, on 12 January 2026, undertook an inspection of key road projects in Kogi State. The visit covered the ongoing reconstruction works on the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, Section III (Abaji–Koton Karfe), and included the formal commissioning of the Itobe–Ayingba Road Emergency Intervention Project. The event, part of the Ministry’s National Media Tour across all geopolitical zones, brought together key stakeholders, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central Zone, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, members of the Press, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other stakeholders. It featured the inspection of ongoing Federal road projects and the commissioning of an emergency intervention project in the State, the first stop in the North Central zone. During the inspection, Dr. Essiet highlighted the strategic importance of the Abuja–Lokoja Highway as a key link between Northern and Southern Nigeria. She assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved sustained funding for critical road projects nationwide and urged contractors to accelerate work, while upholding high-quality standards. She commended host communities and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), for their cooperation with traffic management and diversion measures. She also disclosed that security arrangements are being strengthened to enable nighttime construction, where required, to accelerate project delivery. Engr. Zira Adamu, Engineering Representative (ER) on the project, provided technical insights, explaining that the construction involves a composite pavement system comprising rigid (concrete) and flexible (asphaltic) pavements. He stated, “Eight kilometres of rigid (concrete) pavement have been completed, while 13.8 kilometres of asphalt binder course have been achieved. Overall project completion currently stands at 10.21 per cent, with approximately 66.67 per cent of the project timeline elapsed. The contract sum for the project is ₦89,888,414,585.20.” He added that the project was initially awarded on 24 March, 2022 with a completion period of three years, noting that progress has been largely affected by traffic management and security challenges along the corridor. The project is being executed by two contractors, with Messrs Geld Limited/Triacta (Nigeria) Limited handling one carriageway (Lokoja- Bound) and Trucrete Solutions Limited managing the Abuja-bound section. The Federal Controller of Works in Kogi State, Engr. Patiko Musa, assured the public that construction work is ongoing, adding that additional equipment and work gangs are being deployed to accelerate progress. Similarly, the Itobe–Ayingba Road Special Intervention Project, a 1.6-kilometre emergency repair completed at ₦972 million, was commissioned on behalf of the President by the SSA-P. The project is part of the 260 emergency interventions carried out nationwide to address critically failed sections of inherited projects by the present administration. With 2,064 road and bridge projects inherited, emergency repairs on the most hazardous sections remain a top priority. The Itobe–Ayingba Road is a vital federal highway linking the Eastern, Central, and Western parts of Kogi State and connecting with the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe Road. It serves key industrial corridors, including the largest iron and steel plant and one of the largest cement factories in Africa, playing a critical role in commerce, transportation, and socio-economic development. The scope of work executed included site clearance and scarification, provision of lateritic sub-base and crushed stone base, asphaltic binder and wearing courses, cut-and-patch of potholes, desilting of drainage systems, and installation of road markings. The project received commendations from representatives of the Kogi State Government, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lokoja Branch, and the host communities, who expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for addressing long-standing infrastructural challenges. Community leaders confirmed that the intervention has significantly reduced road accidents and improved safety and economic activities. At the Dualisation of Lokoja - Benin Road, Section I, Phases 1 & 2 (Lokoja - Okene), after receiving briefings by the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Kogi State, Engr. Musa Patiko and the Project Manager, Messrs CCG (Nig.) Limited, the SSA-P expressed dismay at the slow pace of work, urging the Contractor to put in more effort, while assuring that funding constraints would be met. The host community complained about the menace of dust buildup occasioned by the construction work and the company was admonished to be health-conscious and environmentally friendly in their operations. As a proactive measure to surmount the security issues affecting the pace of work on some projects, the SSA-P met with the Commander, 12 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Lokoja, Brig. Gen. Kasim Umar Sidi, who promised to provide 24-hour security cover to any construction company, on demand. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Kogi State, Engr. Abdulsalam Sagir, while thanking the present administration for the various projects in the state, asked for more. The Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lokoja Branch, Engr. Adanu Emmanuel and a representative of Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Conscience of Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Lokoja, Mr. Idris Miliki Abdul urged the contractors to abide by the specifications and timelines of their respective contracts. Other projects inspected by the Team include the Rehabilitation of Abuja - Lokoja Expressway, Sections 4a and 4b, and the Special Repair of Lokoja - Ganaja Road. ...
Goronyo Commends Excellence, Youth Impact at 2025 Caliphate Icon Awards The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has commended the organizers of the Caliphate Icon Awards for sustaining a credible platform that recognizes excellence, service, and positive societal impact. The Minister gave the commendation while delivering a goodwill address at the 2025 Caliphate Icon Awards, organized by Amazing Fame Concept in collaboration with the Caliphate Youth Forum, held on Friday, 2nd January 2026, at the Sokoto Guest House, Sokoto State. Rt. Hon. Goronyo described the awards as more than a recognition ceremony, noting that they serve as a powerful source of inspiration, particularly for young people, to embrace integrity, resilience, and selfless service in nation-building. “Progress is built by individuals who consistently give their best, often quietly and sometimes against great odds, for the good of society,” the Minister stated, urging Nigerian youths to remain committed to making meaningful contributions to their communities and the nation at large. He congratulated the award recipients, describing them as role models whose achievements demonstrate that dedication, hard work, and service are always recognized and celebrated. The Minister also reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to promoting excellence, rewarding merit, and creating an enabling environment where innovation and talent can thrive across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. Rt. Hon. Goronyo concluded by congratulating Amazing Fame Concept, the Caliphate Youth Forum, and all award recipients, expressing confidence that the recognition would further inspire greater service to humanity and national development. ...
Goronyo Receives SPN Membership Certificate, Tasks Professionals on Unity, Mentorship, and National Development at Sokoto Professionals Network AGM The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq., has called on Nigerian professionals to embrace unity, strengthen mentorship, and actively deploy their expertise toward national development, describing professional collaboration as a critical driver of sustainable progress. The Minister made this call while delivering a keynote address at the 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sokoto Professionals Network (SPN) held on 26th December, 2025, in Sokoto State, with activities concluding on 27th December, 2025. Speaking on the theme “Expanding Horizons, Strengthening Bonds,” Rt. Hon. Goronyo noted that the gathering was both timely and strategic, stressing that in an increasingly complex global environment, sustainable development depends on strong professional networks built on trust, shared responsibility, and a common vision. He emphasized the vital role professionals play in shaping institutions, driving economic growth, and translating ideas into practical solutions to societal challenges. According to him, platforms such as the Sokoto Professionals Network provide an invaluable space for mentorship, policy engagement, innovation, and meaningful contributions to community and national development. The Minister highlighted infrastructure development as a major catalyst for economic and social advancement, explaining that quality roads, bridges, and transport corridors are essential enablers of commerce, education, healthcare delivery, security, and national integration. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to delivering durable and sustainable infrastructure nationwide through professionalism, accountability, and the development of local capacity. Rt. Hon. Goronyo further urged members of the Network to strengthen collaboration between senior and emerging professionals, home-based and diaspora members, as well as between professional bodies and government institutions. He noted that a united, credible, and solution-oriented professional voice can significantly influence policy direction, innovation, and development outcomes. In recognition of his contributions to public service, infrastructure development, and professional advancement, the Sokoto Professionals Network (SPN) formally presented a Certificate of Membership to Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., admitting him as a member of the Network during the closing ceremony of the AGM on 27th December, 2025. The Minister expressed appreciation for the honour bestowed on him and commended the leadership and members of the Sokoto Professionals Network for sustaining a credible, inclusive, and impactful professional platform. He expressed confidence that the Network’s contributions to the development of Sokoto State and Nigeria would continue to grow in relevance and impact. ...
Fashola Restates FG’s Commitment To Quality Education As AKTH Receives 1.06 Km Rehabilitated Internal Road
· CMD, other academic, non-academic staff, laud Buhari, Minister for intervention
The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, took delivery of a 1.06 kilometer internal road rehabilitated in the institution by the Ministry of Works and Housing with the Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, restating Federal Government’s commitment to the development of education in the county through the provision of quality infrastructure.
With the handover of the 1.06 km internal road, which included the construction of reinforced concrete culverts and drains, AKTH joined the Federal Tertiary institutions which have benefitted from the ongoing Federal Government Road Intervention Scheme across the country which has so far reached 46 Federal tertiary in across the six geopolitical zones.
Fashola, who was represented at the occasion by the Federal Controller of Works in Kano State, Engr. Yahaya Baba Ali, said President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has successfully intervened in the internal road network of 46 Federal Tertiary institutions handing over 29 in 2021 with17 others now ready to be handed over, while work is ongoing on 30 roads in similar institutions across the country bringing the total number to 76.
Noting the show of joy and enthusiasm that always accompanied such handovers, especially among students of benefiting institutions, the Minister declared, “The quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place”.
Earlier, in his welcome address the Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Prof. Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, expressed happiness that an important project of that magnitude was executed in the institution, pointing out that it would allow easy access for patients seeking medical treatment in different parts of the hospital.
"We are indeed very happy that the Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari and through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, realized the importance of this project which was carried out through special intervention. The result is what we are seeing all around the hospital today”, he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, represented by Dr. Dahiru M.D Shehu, expressed the hope that the present administration would continue to bring in more projects to the hospital.
"I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, for the road which will help in the development of the Health Sector in the country," he said. He also commended the administration of President Buhari for the support given to the hospital in terms of improvement of the healthcare system in the county.
The Principal Imam, Academics, AKTH. Mallam Zakariya'u Muhammad thanked President Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing for the internal road adding, “This has brought relief to the people. Before the intervention visitors to this hospital suffered from dust due to the bad road and during raining season patients and pupils found it difficult to access the road."
The ward head in the Hospital, Alhaji Suleiman Shehu, expressed his happiness over the intervention and thanked the government for removing the pains of the people while using the road. “We can now move freely on the road”, he said.
Welcome Address by The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali, FCA, FCTI, Represented by the Federal Controller Jigawa State, Engr. Atewolora Oladele Gabriel at The Commissioning and Handover of The Hadeija-Nguru Road, Phase II (Kirikasama-Nguru) in Jigawa State on Saturday 18th June, 2022.
PROTOCOLS
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this significant event in the affairs of our National life. I welcome all the eminent and distinguished invited guests to the occasion of the commissioning of the second phase of the completed roads across the country.
2. On behalf of the Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, Directors and Head of Units, Federal Ministry of Works & Housing, I welcome all distinguished invited Guests, the Royal Fathers and the entire people of Jigawa State to this event.
3. As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing road infrastructural development across the length and breadth of Nigeria, the Federal Government as a policy direction focused on the completion of several on-going projects to stimulate economic development, job creation and promoting local content. The focus is to link the major arterial roads to Refineries, Ports, tertiary institutions and high volume commercial centres with a view to reducing travel times, vehicle maintenance costs, safety and security of commuters etc.
4. The Ministry has successfully completed several roads and maintained several bridges to ensure that road users have a rewarding road travel experience. Several other roads and bridges are at various stages of completion such as the 2nd Niger Bridge and its approach road, Dualization of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nasarawa to Benue States, Dualization of Enugu-Portharcourt Expressway, Bodo-Bonny Brigde, Lagos-Ibadan Dualization project, to mention just a few.
5. We have now entered the season of completion and handover of several roads and bridges projects across the country. Recently, 5-roads were commissioned by Mr. President who was represented by the Cabinet Ministers from the states where the projects were sited such as:
i. Commissioning of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kotangora-Makere Road, Phases I&II in Kebbi State;
ii. Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road Phases I&II in Benue State;
iii. Nenwe-Oduma Road Sections I&II in Enugu and Ebonyi States;
iv. Kano-Maiduguri Section III (Azare-Potiskum) in Bauchi/Yobe States; and
v. Kano-Maiduguri Road Section II Shuwarin-Azare, with spur from Dutse to Kwanar Huguma in Jigawa/Bauchi States.
6. In this phase of the commissioning, Mr. President approved the commissioning of the following roads:
i. Rehabilitation of Efon Alaaye-Erinmo-Iwaraja Road In Ekiti/Osun States;
ii. Isoko Ring Road in Delta State;
iii. Rehabilitation of Hadeija-Nguru Road, Phase II CH 40+000-CH 73+150 Kirikasama-Nguru in Jigawa State;
iv. Completion of Gombe-Numan-Yola Road Phase II (Gombe-Kaltungo) in Gombe State;
v. Construction of Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road Section II, Phase I, (Gashua-Bayamari), Yobe State;
vi. Rehabilitation of Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road Section I (Nguru-Gashua) Phase II in Yobe State;
vii. Rehabilitation of Lafia-Obi-Awe-Tunga Road in Nasarawa State.
7. As we complete the commissioning of this road here in Jigawa State, the train will move to Nasarawa State and on to the others.
8. Our joy is that Nigerians are benefitting from the fruits of democracy and the promises made by the present Administration. These projects have created direct and indirect jobs as well as provided socio-economic benefits that the magnitude of such projects carries with it.
9. At this juncture, I welcome you all once again to the commissioning ceremony of this laudable road project in Jigawa State.
Thank you and God bless you.
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1