UMAHI BAGS SILVERBIRD EXTRAORDINARY PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD, CALLS IT ANOTHER FEATHER TO KEEP FLYING  The Honourable Minister of Works, HE Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has bagged the Silverbird Group Extraordinary Personality of the Year award, an honour conferred on him on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. The award ceremony, organised by Silverbird Group, brought together top government officials, lawmakers, technocrats, and stakeholders from across the country, all drawn by a shared recognition of a minister whose tenure has come to symbolise scale, speed, and ambition in Nigeria’s infrastructure drive. Speaking at the event on behalf of the Minister of Works, the Minister of State (Works), Barr.  Bello Muhammad Goronyo, described the honour as a deserved recognition of visible performance and hard choices taken in the national interest. “We cannot but register our sincere gratitude and appreciation for this award for identifying our own, the Honourable Minister of Works, HE Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, for the works he has been doing in this country.” Goronyo told the audience that Umahi’s impact since assuming office has been defined by experience-driven leadership and the deployment of innovative construction technologies to solve long-standing infrastructure challenges. “This man brought to bear lots of experience, skills, and innovative technologies in the road construction industry.” He pointed to landmark achievements in road construction, anchored on four legacy projects now reshaping national connectivity. These include the 750km Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the 1,068km Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, the Transhara corridor stretching from Calabar through Ebonyi and Benue to Abuja, and the 420km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Borno corridor. According to him, these projects, alongside accelerated roads and bridges construction across the six geopolitical zones, have redefined expectations of what is possible within a single administration. Goronyo was emphatic that these gains did not occur in isolation, attributing the momentum to the infrastructure-first posture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “We have to say that all these achievements are recorded because of our president, HE Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.” In a symbolic gesture that drew applause, he disclosed that the Minister of Works had directed that the award be dedicated to the President and to the collective effort behind the projects. “The minister has mandated me to dedicate the award to HE Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the support, for all he has been doing, for prioritizing infrastructure as key, and to dedicate the award also to our team, the Ministry of Works, the management as well as the contractors.” He added that within the Ministry, the recognition serves as renewed motivation rather than a moment of rest. “For us in the Ministry of Works, it's another feather for us to continue to fly and work hard so that Nigeria will reach the desires and aspirations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” On its part, Silverbird Group noted that since Umahi took charge as Minister of Works, the Ministry is currently managing 2,065 ongoing projects across the country. The organisers observed that his mission has remained clear and consistent: fix existing roads, build new ones, and ensure they stand the test of time. According to them, the scale and intent of the legacy projects alone speak volumes about his leadership.   ...

WORKS MINISTRY DID NOT AWARD ABUJA–KADUNA ROAD CONTRACT TO MIKANO – UMAHI CLARIFIES The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has clarified that the Federal Ministry of Works did not award the Abuja–Kaduna Road contract to Mikano International Limited. The Minister stated that the contract was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, in line with due procurement processes and transparency standards. The Minister made this clarification while briefing journalist on 12 Febuary, 2026 in the Ministry Confrence Room in Mabushi Abuja, also drawing public attention to the increasing rate of vandalisation of critical road infrastructure across the country. He noted that the Ministry has a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to protect national infrastructure from destruction. Engr. Umahi expressed serious concern over widespread vandalism affecting roads, bridges, and related infrastructure nationwide. He cited recent cases along the Lagos Coastal Road corridor, where protective structures and road components have been deliberately damaged. According to the Minister, flooding recorded in some sections of the coastal highway was largely caused by blockage of underground drainage channels with refuse, emphasizing the need for public cooperation in maintaining infrastructure. He commended the Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the Nigeria Police for deploying personnel to safeguard critical infrastructure and combat vandalism. Parking of heavy trucks on bridges creates structural stress, as bridges are not designed for static heavy loads. He disclosed that some offenders have already been arrested and are being prosecuted. The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s adoption of reinforced concrete road technology, which is expected to last between 50 and 100 years, compared to traditional asphalt roads. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for supporting long-term infrastructure development and for approving several strategic road projects nationwide. The Minister announced the Extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road by 8.7km to link the East–West Road, using concrete pavement technology. He added that Progress on major legacy road corridors including routes connecting Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri. Expansion of CCTV surveillance on major bridges and highways to curb vandalism and enhance monitoring. The Minister emphasized that federal road projects are distributed based on national development priorities, not regional considerations. He called on Nigerians to support national unity and protect public assets. The Federal Government is considering stronger policies and collaboration with private sector partners and state governments to improve road maintenance and enforce compliance against illegal road obstructions and structures. Addressing the status of NNPCL-funded road projects initiated under Executive Order 007 (April–May 2023), the Minister clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will no longer directly pay contractors for these projects. He announced that the Federal Ministry of Works has officially taken over both project supervision and payment responsibilities, in line with new federal directives. The Honorable Minister disclosed that ₦127 billion has been released by Mr. President for the continuation of these projects, underscoring the administration’s commitment to completing inherited infrastructure initiatives. He noted that an estimated ₦7 trillion will be required to complete all NNPCL-funded projects, describing them as critical to national connectivity and economic development. Sen. Umahi further revealed that the Federal Government inherited 6,604 ongoing federal road and bridge projects nationwide, with a projected ₦16.9 trillion required for their completion. He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all inherited projects must be completed, stressing that infrastructure development remains a top priority of the administration. The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of these projects, assuring Nigerians that the government is determined to deliver quality infrastructure that meets international standards. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, In his closing remarks, thanked members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to national development. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and urged the public and media to verify facts and provide constructive feedback to support improved service delivery.   ...

RESTORING MOBILITY THROUGH EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS ON BAUCHI-GOMBE-BILLIRI-CHAM ROAD To address nationwide infrastructure challenges, the Federal Ministry of Works commissioned key Emergency/Special Intervention Projects along the Bauchi–Gombe and Gombe–Cham corridors on Wednesday, 11 February, 2026, in Gombe State. As part of a nationwide media tour under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, these initiatives are among the 260 Emergency/Special Intervention Projects launched at the administration's inception in May, 2023, to restore critically damaged portions of federal highways across the country. When the administration came into office, it inherited 2,064 ongoing projects with a debt overhang of over ₦13 trillion. In view of this fiscal burden and, most especially, the paucity of funds, priority was given to roads whose conditions had deteriorated to the point of near-total collapse or had already collapsed, to restore motorability, enhance safety, and facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services. On the alignment, a critical corridor linking Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa States, emergency works were executed in two complementary components: overlay of the carriageway and reinstatement of shoulders, alongside drainage improvements. Before the intervention, the road had suffered significant failure, posing safety risks and constraining socioeconomic activities. With the completion of the works, the carriageway has been strengthened, and riding quality significantly improved, while reinstated shoulders now allow motorists to park safely off the main carriageway, reducing obstruction and risk of accidents. The Federal Controller of Works, Gombe State, Engr. Mohammed Jahun stated that the project was completed and has restored the safety and durability of the route, observing that traffic flow has improved considerably as a result of the intervention. Commending the Federal Government’s efforts, Comrade Faruk Mu'azu, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Chapter, described the rehabilitation as timely and impactful. “If you can recall vividly, this road before now was not motorable, but now, with the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works, movement is free and without hitches”, he said. Comrade Mu’azu commissioned the project, as a representative of the Honourable Minister. He also extended a profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his approval of the award of a contract for the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe road. He emphasised that the expansion of the highway would significantly ease movement between the North Central, and North-East zones and serve as an enabler of growth. Also commissioned by the NUJ Chairman was the Reinstatement of Failed Shoulders along the Gombe Bypass. The contract, completed within 3 months, covered 1.5km of road and 910m of drainage. Road users and residents, alike, eulogise the President for being proactive, heaving a sign of relief for alleviating their long-term suffering. Another strategic and vital corridor, is the Gombe–Billiri–Cham Road, linking Gombe and Adamawa States. Three failed bridges along that stretch were singled out for urgent rehabilitation under the Emergency/Special Intervention due to safety concerns, particularly nighttime traveling. The scope of work included restoration of damaged handrails, rehabilitation of abutments, stone pitching, reconstruction of wing walls, and reinforcement of structural components to enhance stability and visibility. The Federal Controller explained that the rehabilitation has eliminated previous hazards associated with the bridges, improving structural integrity and ensuring safer passage for road users. The commissioning of these projects was done by the Chairman of the Gombe State Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Hudu Shehu, as he officially handed them over for public use, on behalf of the Minister. He prayed that the road would serve the interests of humanity, whilst contributing to the common good of the people.  The Bauchi–Gombe component also forms part of the approved 4th Renewed Hope Legacy Road Project for dualisation from Akwanga through Jos to Bauchi and terminating in Gombe. Others are the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, and the Calabar–Abuja Highway, designed on continuous reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) technology with street lights and rail lines to enhance connectivity across all six (6) geopolitical zones of the country.   ...