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

2023

Umahi Inspects Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway. The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi has inspected the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos recently. The superhighway shall be funded and constructed by HiTech Construction Company under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Minister explained that upon completion, the coastal highway will go through to Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, then to Port Harcourt, to Calabar with two spurs, one of the spurs is under phase II going from a point along the coastal road to the ongoing Badagry - Sokoto Road and another spur too along the Ogoja axis of the Trans Sahara trade route. The phase one he added will be about 650km which consists of two service lanes with four carriageways both sides and a provision for a rail line in the middle of the road. “The highway shall have multiple spurs that will connect major towns and cities, including a spur connecting Ogoja-axis of the trans Sahara trade route. The phase one he added will be about 650km which will consist of two service lanes with four carriage ways on both sides with a rail line in the middle of the road” he said. Umahi added that the project is going to be a major breakthrough under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has asked him to “fast track this project because it is going to be a catalyst towards the economic development of this country”. The Minister pleaded with the Lagos State Government on the permission to acquire the Right of Way on the road corridor to prevent encroachment and possible disturbances during and after construction. He said the project would promote tourism, have industrial clusters including hotels, factories, housing estates and several other facilities. “So, this is beautiful, it will promote tourism, have industrial clusters including hotels, factories, housing estates and several other facilities” he said. Umahi disclosed that the highway is going to be built on concrete road pavement which he said will bring the concrete road construction to the next level and it is happening during this administration. Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat stated that the project is of public interest, a laudable and a welcome development that will serve Nigeria and its citizens enormously. He noted that the provision of right of way is the state’s responsibility and must be released for a sustainable road to be delivered for the Nigerian citizens. He admonished the general public to desist from building on right of way because all right of ways in the state has been gazetted by the state House of Assembly. He thereafter expressed his satisfaction with the Federal Government on the construction of the Coastal Highway saying it will boost the economic growth of the country in general. With the Honourable Minister at the inspection were the Director Highways Southwest, Engr. Adedamola Kuti, the Director Bridges, Engr. Awosanya, The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs.) Korede Kesha; and the Managing Director of HiTech Construction Company. ...

Nov

2023

Federal Government Flags-Off Emergency Repairs at The Third Mainland Bridge Superstructure ..... Approves The Repair of Over 260 Roads Nationwide 1. The Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is set to make a historic mark in road Infrastructure revolution in Nigeria. This was revealed by the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi, CON during the flag-off of the emergency repair of the Third Mainland bridge, Lagos on the 8th day of November, 2023. The Hon. Minister during the event reiterated the determination of the President to turn around the accumulated ugly conditions of the Nigerian roads particularly the Federal Highways. 2. Speaking on the essence of the emergency repair of the Third Mainland Bridge, the Hon. Minister said that the conditions of the bridge superstructure and other elements including the loops and ramps connecting the bridge were bad and required urgent maintenance to serve the road users better. " This is yet another milestone in the actualization of the Renewed Hope agenda of the Divine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration which among other things is aimed at the total repositioning of the road and bridge infrastructure in Nigeria and to bring succour to road users who have suffered the effects of the decayed infrastructure over the years," 3. The Hon. Minister recalled that the immediate past administration had awarded a contract for the comprehensive repair of the loops and ramps connecting to the Third Mainland bridge at the total cost of N6,278,063585.58. But the Renewed Hope administration of Mr President upon coming on board observed that the intervention was for a limited scope as it would not address the problems created by the extra layers of asphalt on the bridge deck of about 150mm thickness that occurred as a result of previous overlays which constitute extra dead load on the bridge." 4. According to the Hon. Minister, "it therefore became imperative to expand the scope of works as awarded to accommodate the additional works and quantities of work items needed to restore the integrity and serviceability of this very important bridge" Hence, the need to expand the scope of the contract which is now "awarded to Messrs CCECC Nig Ltd in the sum of N21,047,430,431.71. 5. The Hon Minister who used the opportunity to thank the President of Nigeria for approving the repair of over 260 Federal Roads across the nation also reiterated his Ministry's commitment to quality and timely delivery of road and bridge infrastructure in Nigeria, pointing out that under his watch, the road users will not suffer discomfort and inconveniences because of road repair. He maintained that his Ministry’s target is to ameliorate the sufferings of road users and give them the best comfort anyone can get in advanced countries of the world. On his own part, the Lagos State Governor who was represented by his Deputy, His Excellency, Dr Femi Hamzat assured the Hon Minister of Works of a robust partnership in the road revolution agenda of Federal Government, as far as Lagos State is concerned. He praised the initiative of the Federal Government in tackling the deficiencies in road Infrastructure across the nation. The Governor also assured road users of adequate traffic management within Lagos State and adequate traffic plan during the festivities. The Governor thereafter performed the flag-off ceremony at the instance of the Hon. Minister of Works. 6. Repair works on the four ramps on the Third Mainland bridge started in earnest on the 6th day of November,2023 and is expected to be completed on or before 13th December,2023. The work of the major carriageway of the bridge will commence on 15th January, 2023. ...

Oct

2023

Works Minister Inspects Lagos Bridges Minister of Works Engr. David Nweze Umahi was on a working visit to Third Mainland, Carter, Falomo, Iddo, Eko, Marina and Iganmu Bridges in Lagos State. The Minister inspected the bridges alongside some Directors in the Ministry with contractors on Saturday 28th, October 2023. Umahi, while briefing the Press, pointed out problems on the Third Mainland Bridge which was built in two sections Sixty years ago by an Italian Company and Julius Berger. He said the reason for deflection on the bridge was lack of maintenance from the national level, other than the last administration where intervention came from and the State Government especially when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in office. The Minister said due to the technicality of the job on Eko Bridge where the Bridge deck would be open, equipment worth one point two million Euros would be imported into the Country that would be used in maintaining the aspect of the bridge. He commended the last administration's work on the bridge, the bridge suffered two problems. " Eko Bridge suffered two problems such as lack of maintenance, and the bearings eating up, lots of the pair gaps have serious issues but the last administration did a very good and wonderful work." "Work is on going, it will finish in 2024 because we are pushing for increase in the number of workers and equipment to site, they are doing a beautiful work”. Umahi said "Without Eko Bridge, we will not have any truck coming into Island so that is our saviour." Engr. Umahi, thanked the President and the National Assembly for looking at Infrastructure strategically in Lagos State, the financial capital of the country which has lots of national infrastructure that tremendously add to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) therefore it cannot be neglected. He added. The works Minister congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima on their victory at the supreme court and urged the leaders in the country to put the nation ahead of all interest and the region. ...

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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Aug

2018

Welcome Address By The Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Works And Transport, Kebbi State On The Occasion Of The 24th National Council On Works Meeting In Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State

On behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Matawalen Gwandu and hospitable people of Kebbi State, I humbly welcome here in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, “The Land of Equity”.

2. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Ensuring Value for Money in Nigerian Highways Development”, which literally means optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcome.

3. A limited perception of the benefit derived from the huge investment in Highway projects, believes that, the ends will not justify the means, in terms of resources invested and the intended outcome. However, a wider perception of it shows that the benefit involved is numerous, among which are the following:-

(i) highway projects enhance free movement of people, goods and services, thereby fostering economic, cultural, agricultural and political development;
(ii) Highway projects, link various communities, regions and nations, thereby enhancing regional and international relationship;
(iii) Highway projects, promote peaceful co-existence between various communities, thereby enhancing social development.
This is to mention just a few.

4. The theme seeks for the use of technical knowledge and methods to achieve qualitative works on all Highway projects, ensuring value for money.

5. At this juncture, I would like to commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for hosting this important meeting for the first time in the history of the state.

6. The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, also needs to be commended for approving the hosting right to Kebbi State.

7. The Organizing Committee of Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing will also not be left behind in the commendation for selecting a theme that encompasses all spheres of life, as no matter how small a business may be, one needs value for his investment.

8. As for the delegates, I wish you an interesting and fruitful deliberations and also call upon you to feel free and visit historic places in Kebbi State, being a home to two famous international festivals of fishing in Argungu and Uhola in Zuru.

9. Once again, I welcome you all to the 24th Meeting of National Council on Works.
GOD Bless Kebbi State
GOD bless Nigeria.

THANK YOU

Speeches

Feb

2017

Remarks By Honourable Minister At The Inauguration Of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Commissioners

P R O T O C O L S
Welcome to this solemn but important event that has the propensity to profoundly and positively impact the electricity sector of our economy.

Pursuant to the nomination of suitably qualified Nigerians by Mr. President and the confirmation of the Senate, we gather to inaugurate:

1. Messrs Sanusi Garba, an Engineer (Electrical)-Vice Chairman
2. Professor Frank Okafor, an Engineer (Electrical)
3. Dafe C. Akpeneye, a Legal Practitioner
4. Nathan Roger Shatti, an Accountant
5. Dr. Musiliu O. Oseni, an Economist
6. Dr. Moses Arigu, a Scientist & Mathematician

as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

They have been chosen in the manner prescribed by law; and I particularly welcome their arrival for many reasons:
a) Provides stability in governance regulatory action and institution building to the sector; and
b) It allows the Ministry to focus on policy; coordination and completion of on-going Generation and Transmission projects.

I will like to thank Dr. Anthony Akah, who acted in capacity of CEO of NERC for about a year. His service to his country is highly appreciated and he must now hand over to the Vice-Chairman and his fellow Commissioners and return to his normal schedule of duties.

For the information of the public, this occasion provides the opportunity to again share knowledge with ourselves about the Nigerian Power Sector.

The first thing to emphasize is that the power sector has been privatized.

This process occurred and was concluded in November, 2013; and has resulted in the vesting of majority of Power Generation and Power Distribution in the hands of private owners.

So for the avoidance of doubt, power is now in private hands, and government is now largely a policy maker, and Regulator. Policy is the work of the Ministry and as I said, the completion of on-going Generation projects and Transmission projects.

Regulation is the work of NERC acting through the Commissioners we inaugurate today.

So for all those seeking license to generate power, to build coal and solar plants, and all other similar proposals, your letters should go to NERC not to the Ministry – Although you can copy us for information.

For all those who have issues with Meters, Estimated Billing, Customer Service issue, this is the work of NERC to ensure that the DISCOs perform and I urge you to direct your complaints to them, and keep us informed about the service they render to you, because we oversee them; but will not interfere with their work.

To NERC and the new Commissioners, I welcome you on board.

Be firm, but fair.

Regulate but be business oriented.

Remember that regulations are Rules; and Rules are made for us, we are not made for the Rules. Regulate with the understanding that the industry is young, in Transition and needs support.

I wish you success and you can count on the support of the Ministry.

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
HONOURABLE MINISTER OF POWER, WORKS & HOUSING

7TH FEBRUARY, 2017.