Federal Ministry of Works

Jul

2026

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TINUBU FLAGS OFF STRATEGIC NORTH-EAST ROAD PROJECTS TO ENHANCE SECURITY, TRADE, AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has officially flagged off the rehabilitation of the Bama – Banki and the Dikwa – Gamboru Ngala Roads, describing them as strategic investments to restore critical infrastructure, enhance security, and drive economic growth in the North-East. Represented at the ceremony by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, the President said the projects reflect his administration's campaign promise to rebuild vital infrastructure that will improve connectivity, strengthen regional integration, and promote sustainable development. The two contracts are awarded to Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd. under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, while the subcontractor is Dantata & Sawoe (Nig.) Limited.

President Tinubu noted that the strategic road corridors would improve access to neighbouring Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, creating new opportunities for trans-Saharan trade and expanding cross-border commerce. He stressed that the projects would not only facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services but also improve security and support the socio-economic recovery of communities affected by insurgency. He called on all stakeholders to work closely with the people of the North East to ensure the successful execution of the projects, while assuring Nigerians that his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and national development.

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the commencement of the projects as another pointer to the Federal Government's infrastructure renewal drive. He explained that the roads are part of the administration's four legacy infrastructure projects, spread across the six geopolitical zones, and are designed to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, facilitate trade, and strengthen economic integration with neighbouring countries.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., highlighted the enormous economic, security, healthcare, and tourism benefits of the projects. According to him, the roads are more than transportation infrastructure; they are strategic investments that will promote regional integration, improve livelihoods, and enhance the quality of life of the people. He commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming Nigeria through sustained infrastructure development.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, applauded the strong collaboration between the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Works. They described the projects as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government's commitment to inclusive infrastructure development and pledged the continued legislative support of the National Assembly towards their successful completion.

President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, described the Federal Government's Tax Credit Scheme as a transformative initiative for financing critical infrastructure. He disclosed that the Dangote Group is currently executing 12 road projects valued at about ₦3 trillion under the scheme and reaffirmed the company's readiness to undertake additional projects in support of national development. He noted that quality roads and bridges stimulate economic activities, attract investment, and promote national prosperity. Dangote also commended the leadership of the Minister, describing him as "a conqueror" for his dedication and outstanding commitment to infrastructure delivery.

The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, described the projects as strategically important to the economic recovery and security of the North East. He said the roads would strengthen commercial and social ties with Cameroon and the Chad Republics, while improving peace, security, and economic activities across the region. Governor Zulum expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for Borno State and the entire Zone.

Speaking on behalf of the Borno State Council of Traditional Rulers, comprising the Emirates of Borno, Biu, Dikwa, and Gwoza, the Chairman of the Council, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, represented by the Shehu of Dikwa, welcomed the initiative. He expressed confidence that the projects would deliver lasting socio-economic benefits to the affected communities and assured the Federal Government of the traditional institution's full support throughout the implementation process.

The flag-off of the Bama–Banki and Dikwa–Gamboru Ngala Roads’ rehabilitation projects underscores the Administration's commitment to renewing critical infrastructure, strengthening national security, expanding regional trade, and accelerating economic transformation. Upon completion, the roads are expected to improve mobility, facilitate cross-border commerce, attract investment, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity across the North East and Nigeria as a whole.

Dec

2023

Minister of Works Sen Umahi Inaugurates Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Ferma) Charges Members to Brace Up to the Road Infrastructure Maintenance Challenges in Nigeria The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has charged the newly inaugurated members of Governing Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency ( FERMA) to brace up to the challenges of road infrastructure maintenance facing the country and show unwavering commitment to the road maintenance programmes of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR The Hon. Minister gave this charge during the inauguration of the FERMA Governing Board at the Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Works, Headquarters. Mabushi, Abuja on 21st December 2023. The Hon Minister thanked the President of Nigeria for appointing men of proven integrity and ability into the FERMA Board and for approving the 2023 Supplementary Budget which provides landmark interventions on the Federal roads. He said road infrastructure was critical to the socio-economic development of our nation noting that the critical sectors that drive economic growth rely greatly on road infrastructure development. "Let me first congratulate the nominees of Mr. President to the FERMA board and to express my gratitude deeply to Mr. President who has found you worthy to do this job. We have a very critical situation with our roads all over the country. and for me, the number one thing Nigerians needed like yesterday is road. Road is everything. If we fix our roads today, we will bring down inflation in this country, because bad road is affecting every aspect of our economic activities. He maintained that the enhanced budgetary provision for road infrastructure under our dear President shows his commitment in changing the narrative of our road infrastructure. "This underscores the fact that Mr. President understands the plight of our people as far as our road infrastructure is concerned, he's doing everything within the budget and outside the budget to fix our roads. And I want to assure Nigerians on behalf of Mr. President that our hopes are renewed in tackling our road infrastructure decays.” It would be recalled that by section 3 of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) Amendment Act 2007, the President had on 13th October, 2023 approved the appointment of the following members of the Governing Board of FERMA and they had been confirmed by the Senate: Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi - Managing Director Engr. lbi Terna Manasseh - Member Dr. Kenneth Ugbala - Member Sen. Timothy Aduda - Member Babatunde Daramola - Member Hon. Preye Oseke Member Aminu Adamu Papa - Member Engr. Abubakar Bappa - Member ACM Shehu Mohammed - Member Yusuf Lawal Othman – Member Earlier the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mahmuda Mamman described the newly appointed members of FERMA board as people of proven competence and experience and expressed hope that they would perform in their new assignment. In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly constituted board, the Managing Director of FERMA Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi thanked the President for finding them worthy to be appointed as board members of FERMA and pledged to discharge their responsibilities with the fear of God and align to the policy of the Federal Minister of Works and also to the mandate of FERMA. He expressed the commitment of FERMA towards making a visible difference on the road condition and the travel experience of commuters in the country. ...

Dec

2023

The Commitment of the Federal Ministry of Works under H.E Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi, on Prompt Supervision and Quality Delivery of Projects is Yielding Fruits, Contractors Now Ready to Meet the Expectations of Road Users and Indeed Nigerians The Works Minister, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umah did not spare a moment upon arriving in Nigeria from Cotonou, Benin Republic where he chaired a Steering Committee on the construction of Lagos- Abidjan Highway Corridor Development Project on 15th December,2023, and he moved to pay unscheduled inspection visit to some ongoing Federal Road projects around Rivers State. The action minister is particular on standard, design, and specification. He gives attention to every detail on the contract award, ensures that certificates generated are accounted for by the Ministry's Engineers, and that Resident Engineers, Controllers and Consultants are on the ground to monitor project details. Umahi works on weekends, day and night, and takes no excuse for an answer. His eyes are on the ball, making sure that the vision of Mr. President on the road infrastructure revolution under his Renewed Hope administration is achieved within a record time. Sen. Umahi visited the following Federal Projects on 16th December 2023, upon arrival from Cotonou, and it was a marathon inspection that did put the contractors, the Ministry's Engineers and the consultants on their toes. The projects visited are: 1. Rehabilitation of Enugu to Port Harcourt Section 4: Aba to Port Harcourt at Km 204 to Km 206 by Messrs. CCECC and 2. RCC section of the East West Road between Eleme junction and Onne Port. Very soon, Nigeria will see that the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is on a mission to restore the hope of Nigerians for a prosperous future we can all be proud of. Pictures Speak. Pls share and be ready to be part of the supervision. It is your right. Contact us on our dedicated numbers to report any shoddy job or unnecessary inconveniences to road users by contractors. ...

Dec

2023

Nigeria LNG Commended for Commitment to The Completion of Bodo-bonny Federal Road In Rivers State And Interest To Connect To East West Road The Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON has commended Nigeria NLG Limited for its commitment to funding the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Federal road in Rivers State in line with the tripartite agreement with Federal Government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and for indicating interest to connect the road to East West Road to maximize the economic potentials of the area. The Hon Minister made this commendation when the management of Nigeria NLG Ltd led by its MD/ CEO, Dr Philip Mshelbilla, visited him in his office at Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters, Mabushi Abuja on 11th December,2023. He further commended them for putting the interest of Nigeria first in their contractual negotiations and for keying into the innovations and ideals of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR with respect to quality, innovations, cost effectiveness and timely completion of road projects embarked upon by Federal Government. "Thank you very much. When I see Nigerians that are standing for the country, I feel very excited because Nigeria is our only country. We can't mortgage the country; we can't sell the country. I saw your letter with regard to requests by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor, to increase the contract sum. And you and your board together with your team vehemently stood against that. That gave me some teeth to bite because I saw a commitment by all parties that this project will not increase beyond the augmented amount of 199,000,000,000. So, I want to commend you for that." The Hon. Minister enjoined Julius Berger to respect the spirit and letters of the tripartite agreement and go back to site, assuring that Federal Government would offer compassionate considerations on the remaining 16% uncompleted job without necessarily expanding the contract envelope. "I discovered by the letters of JB that they have abandoned the site, and that's against the contract they signed, even if they needed to leave the site, the general conditions of contract specify the procedures for notices in such a circumstance. Well, we have discussed with them and I said, we are going to look at the remaining 16% on a compassionate ground, and see whether there is any merit, and we can see if there is any money left in the contingency, but definitely will not expand the envelope. Expanding the envelope means you are going back to your Board. Expanding the envelope means my going back to Federal Inland Revenue, going back to BPP, going back to Mr. President, going back to Federal Executive Council. So it's a long journey, and that will not allow that project to be completed as planned". Speaking on behalf of the management of Nigeria NLG Ltd, the MD/CEO reiterated the vision of the company in not only building a globally competitive LNG company but also in contributing towards building a better Nigeria by delivering quality infrastructure through projects such as the Bobo-Bonny road being funded by NLNG. He assured that everything possible would be done to complete the road on time as provided under the agreement bearing in mind the concerns of the contractor handling the project. "With regards to coming back to the Bonny Bodo road, we see two parts to it, the main road itself. We are really looking forward to that being completed on time. We have had commitments in the past from the contractor around its completion and we do understand that there are concerns around what is happening in the economy now". He thanked the Hon. Minister of Works for his commitment to road infrastructure revolution and expressed hope that the economy of Nigeria would bounce back with the manifest determination of President Tinubu's administration in fixing the critical infrastructure for the growth of our economy. He assured the Hon. Minister of the readiness of the company to partner with Federal Government always in her developmental efforts. "We have indicated an interest to pursue the extension of that road from Bodo so that it connects to the East West Road. That way you then have a complete corridor of major roads connecting to East West Road, rather than ending in Bodo. In summary, just to thank the Minister again, your commitment to projects like this across the country will indeed make a huge difference to the common man, to transportation of people, farmers who need to move their products". ...

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2025

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Feb

2020

We Will Deliver Roads That Will Stand The Test Of Time - Works Minister

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar Aliyu has said that the Federal government is committed to deliver qualitative roads that will stand the test of time for Nigerians to enjoy the long lasting benefit in the road usage.

Engr Aliyu spoke during the media inspection visit of the rehabilitation of Cham - Numan section of Gombe-Numan-Yola road over the weekend.

Responding to a question on the expected delivery time of the road, he said "We don't deliver roads because of politics, we deliver roads that will stand the test of time for Nigerians to enjoy the benefit for a long lasting time'.

The Minister explained that the section of the Cham-Numan road was delayed because of the 11 kilometers portion of the Savannah swamp area has bad/soft soil, which he said has to be evacuated, replaced and refill.

"We are seriously working on it and the procurement process has gone far and about to be completed. If we want to do politics with it, we would have rushed to complete it and it will later collapse, but we want to deliver a qualitative job for Nigerians" he said.

Aliyu also reiterated the commitment of President Muhamnadu Buhari to deliver the promises made to Nigerians on roads, adding that the administration is also showing strong determination to fulfil the promises in other sectors, such as housing, rails and others.

Butressing the committment of President Buhari on delivering roads, he revealed that the budget of his Ministry has risen to N200 billion from the N19 bilion they met it in 2015, pointing to the fact that the current administration has shown more committment to providing road infrastructure.

Touching on the other mandate of his ministry in providing affordable housing for Nigerians, the Ministry urged people to come in groups and form cooperative societies so that they patner with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in order to get the houses they needed for themselves.

Earlier in his briefing to the minister on the rehabilitation of the Cham-Numan section of Gombe-Numan-Yola, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr Salihu Abubakar told the Minister that among the challenges delaying the work is the security problem of frequent farmers hardersmen clashes in the area

He explained that the contractor had carried out emergency repair works of critical failed sections of the road under the ember month of 2019 program of the Ministry

Egr Abubakar further stated that the contractor is presently on site working and the weather is favourable, adding that over 4,250 direct and indirect jobs have been created through the project

Speeches

Oct

2017

Keynote Address Delivered By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Africa Today Summit On October 17th At The Transcorp Hilton

TOPIC: The Outlook for Nigeria - Energy options in a Low-cost and Low Carbon World: Which Way Nigeria and Africa.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

I apologise and regret my inability to be personally present and I welcome the compromise by Africa Today and Mr. Kayode Soyinka that I should be represented.

This is an important gathering that contributes to increasing the attention we pay to the critical role of electricity in our developmental aspirations.

Until about the last decade, we appear not to have paid enough attention to the need for more power, (and I dare say more water supply) even as our populations in and across Africa grew.

Yes, we were concerned about poverty and about growth, but we seem to have dwelt more overtly on them than on development.

Growth can occur in Economies as we have seen in commodities-driven economies when prices rise; but they do not necessarily bring about development which has a correlation with infrastructure, such as power.

It is important therefore to keep in mind the clear difference between Growth and Development; as I think most African economies, including Nigeria, are now doing as they focus on investing in Infrastructure especially power.

This summit is part of that focus and call to attention; and I am enthused to share not only my thoughts but our road map.

First let me start with the road map.

If you look at news reports in 1999, 2007, 2010 and 2011 in the first few months of the emergence of a new administration at our Federal Government level, you will see different statements of commitments to produce certain Megawatts of power ranging from 10, 20, to 40 thousand megawatts by a certain date.

None of those targets was met; but that is not the problem. The problem is that the scientific basis for deciding those targets was not explained.

I also know that what consumers want (and I am a consumer), is predictable energy when they need it.

Therefore, this time, we are not talking Megawatts, we are addressing a journey.

Our roadmap is to get incremental power because we do not have enough, make that steady, because that is what consumers want, and aim toward uninterrupted power through conservation, elimination of waste and use of technology.

We are currently at the Incremental Power stage of our roadmap, and megawatts are useful to demarcate milestones by showing that we started at a base of 2,069 MW in May 2015 which has increased to 6,911 MW in September 2017.

As recently as September 2017 we recovered and restored 100 MW to the grid from the Afam power station IV which had been out of commission since January 2015 due to a burnt transformer. Most of the power, until recently has been from gas fired turbines, and this is where I will proceed to address the OUTLOOK for Nigeria and opportunities for Renewable Energy in a low cost and low carbon world; as requested by Africa Today.

Let me be clear and unequivocal by saying upfront that our commitment as a Nation and Government to pursue renewable and low carbon energy at low cost is CLEAR, FIRM and UNSHAKING. But this is not all. It is a commitment driven by NECESSITY, CONTRACT and POLICY about which I will now speak.

NECESSITY
As I pointed out earlier, our take off point of available power in MAY 2015 was 2,690 MW. On the 22nd of May 1999, the amount of power on the grid was 2,345 Mw out of which 85% was gas fired power and 15% was hydro power.

This made us very vulnerable as a nation whenever there was a gas shortage or failure for any reason including wilful damage to Gas pipelines and assets.

This much was evident in 2016 when we had no less than 20 attacks on our Gas pipelines.

Our response of course has been to diversify our energy sources and optimize other assets for power production by producing an Energy Mix that targets a 30% component of renewable energy out of the Gross energy we produce by 2030.

That document also provides investment information about the areas where renewable energy such as solar and hydro are most prolific.

We have also matched our intent with actions such as signing 14 solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPAs) with 14 Developers with the potential to deliver over 1,000 MW of solar power.

We have resolved problems that stalled work at the Zungeru 700 MW hydro power plant with a new completion date of 2019 and we have also now awarded the 3050 MW Mambilla hydro power plant after over 40 years of its initial conception.

In addition, we are in advanced stages of procurement for 6 small hydro dams for private sector operation. What remains therefore is the faithful implementation of these projects to bring on stream their stock of renewable solar and Hydro Power.

Even before all these other sources of renewable power come on stream, we are seeing better results through maintenance, repairs and investment in the hydro power plants.

On the 22nd of May this year, the percentage of hydro power on the grid has gone up to 26% from 15% that it was in May 2015 and the gas fired power has reduced proportion now respresents 74% of our energy mix from 85% in the same month in 2015, even though total power has increased.

This is progress that we must sustain to get more renewable energy

CONTRACT
In addition to the necessity to diversify our energy sources from Gas and provide some energy security, we are also driven to pursue renewable energy by contract.

You will all recall that Nigeria is one of the early signatories to the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which signatories were committed to low carbon energy sources as a contribution to helping the global community protect our climate.

The Solar and Hydro projects I have referred to are parts of our contribution to this global commitment. We have also moved to seek to improve efficiency by completing the Energy Efficiency Building Code that will form part of our National Building Code, to help us develop energy efficient buildings and reduce our carbon foot print.

POLICY
Beyond necessity and contract, our commitment is driven by policy embedded in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), where one of the 5 pillars is Energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

As far as the power component of this Pillar goes, while we have expanded the National Grid capacity for on- grid power from 5,000 MW in 2015 to 6,900 MW in September 2017, we are mindful that quick access to power will be easier to achieve by off-grid connections.

Therefore, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) we have issued mini grid Regulations to guide registration and licencing for small consumers and off-grid developers seeking to produce up to 100 kilowatts and over 100 kilowatts and up to 1 megawatts respectively.

This is already producing results as more people are now developing their own grids or developing to supply others without connecting to the National grid.

As a conscious measure to incentivize developers, the national policy for pioneer status has been revised by the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment and approved by the Federal Executive Council to include solar panels, solar Home Systems, light emitting diodes, batteries other components that support solar systems which can be manufactured in Nigeria.

Finally, I will like to also state that the Buhari Administration has approved and started the implementation of Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan for Nigeria in 2017 and constituted the board and management of the Rural Electrification Agency early this year.

Their mandate is to champion and drive rural electrification and penetration with the bias to use solar and mini grids. This should have been done since 2006, one year after the Electric Power Reform Act was passed in 2005.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the outlook of renewable energy in Africa and the options we have chosen in pursuit of low cost and low carbon energy.

I am confident that we can deliver on what we have conceived, planned and are implementing. I therefore now have the pleasure to declare this summit open and invite you to join us in the implementation of and delivery of our commitments.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Tuesday October 17th 2017

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Jun

2025

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

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Apr

2025

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

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