Federal Ministry of Works

Nov

2025

LATEST PRESS

FG Decries Road Vandalism, Reaffirms Commitment to Record Completion of Abuja-Kano Expressway

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of vandalism and misuse of newly constructed and ongoing road projects across the country, warning that such irresponsible acts threaten the lifespan and safety of critical national infrastructure.

Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., issued the warning on Saturday, 8th November 2025, during a holistic inspection visit to the Outstanding Sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway project, where he condemned the destructive activities of some hoodlums along the completed and active sections of the road.

The Minister, in particular, decried instances of individuals removing safety railings, damaging concrete pavements, or converting portions of the highway into refuse dumps and drying grounds—especially around the Jaji Bridge corridor in Kaduna State.

“Maintenance begins with discipline and public responsibility,” Goronyo stated. “We have observed people cutting through newly completed road sections or tampering with vital components. These acts of vandalism must stop immediately,” he warned.

In this vein, he urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to take collective ownership of public infrastructure and ensure that such national assets are protected from misuse, adding that the government’s huge investments in road development must be safeguarded for future generations.

“The Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committing enormous resources to the building of durable roads across the country. Every act of vandalism or road abuse undermines national progress and the deployment of taxpayers’ money to other critical national priorities,” the Minister emphasised.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve to complete the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway within record time, Goronyo described the project as a flagship of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to enhance trade, promote unity, and strengthen economic integration between the Northern and Southern regions of the country.

He disclosed that the Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) of the project, spanning 144 kilometres, is progressing steadily across several active sections - from Tungan Maje and Jere to Katari, Kakau, Gonigora, and Agogo Junction—with significant work already completed in drainage, reinforcement, and the construction of the shoulders.

“So far, about 26 kilometres of continuous rigid concrete pavement and 15 kilometres of binder and wearing course have been completed,” the Minister revealed. “The President has made it clear that funding will not be a constraint. It is now a matter of work and getting paid,” he informed the contractor, Messrs. Infiouest International Limited.

In line with the President’s directive for durable infrastructure, the Acting Director, Highways, Bridges and Design at the Ministry, Engr. Musa Sa’idu explained that the project design was upgraded from flexible (asphalt) to rigid (concrete) pavement, capable of lasting for about a century and withstanding the stress of heavy-duty and overloaded vehicles.

He further disclosed that a recycling approach is being used to strengthen the substructure, by mixing milled asphalt with stone base and cement to improve durability and minimize environmental impact.

Mr. Robert Turner, Senior Project Manager of the company, reaffirmed their commitment to engineering excellence and set a target, adding that work is progressing seven days a week, with plans to introduce night shifts to accelerate completion.
“We are determined to deliver this project ahead of schedule. The government has demonstrated exceptional consistency in funding, and we are matching that commitment with performance,” Turner assured.

Concluding the inspection tour at the additional location of the Kano end of the alignment, the Minister reiterated that the Abuja–Kano Expressway remains one of the most strategic road corridors in the nation, symbolising Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural renewal, national security, and economic prosperity.

“This project is dear to the President’s heart. It is not just a road - it is a lifeline for trade, social and political integration, as well as national unity. Every Nigerian must play a part in protecting it,” Goronyo declared.

Earlier at the end of Section II (Kaduna-Zaria), which has been completed and handed over by the previous contractor, the
Minister detoured to inspect another ongoing construction work on the Unguwar Iliya-Bagudu-Kwantakaran-Tsiga-Bakori Road with Kadabo Bridge in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, which has an approximate length of 17.3 kilometres, starting from Tsiga Town and passing through the Barde community. The scope of work includes the construction of a single carriageway and three reinforced concrete bridges.

Briefing the Minister on the Project, the Federal Controller/Engineers’ Representative, Engr. Muhammad I. Matinja and the Project Manager for Messrs. Halis Matrix Limited, Engr. David Omotosho expressed optimism about the progress of work, assuring that it will be completed on time and according to its design.

**Mohammed A Ahmed, **
Director Press and Public Relations.
9th November 2025.

Aug

2021

Minister Assures Motorists For Prompt Intervention On Gashua - Potiskum Damaged Road Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr Abubakar Aliyu has assured motorists plying the Gashua-Potiskum axis of prompt intervention by the government to restore to normal the flood damaged parts of the road. The Minister disclosed this during an on-the - spot assessment of the portions of the road damaged by the flood, assuring motorists that government is already taking urgent steps to remedy the situation. Engr Aliyu spoke through the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engr Olusegun B. Akinmade, whom he delegated to visit the site said the Gasua-Potiskum Federal highway was recently damaged by massive flooding as a result of heavy downpour. " The ministry would deploy the relevant agency to attend to the affected parts of the road in no time" he said, adding that the most affected part of the highway is a stretch between Garin Gada to Tarajim along the Gashua-Potiskum highway. While commending the understanding of the motorists over the incidence and its attendant inconveniences, Engr Aliyu reaffirmed that the federal government would do all it could to remedy the situation as well as taking measures of averting future occurrences. He said " President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to road infrastructure is unprecedented, as evidenced by his administration’s huge investments in road reconstruction and rehabilitation across the country" . Accordingly, the Minister said the prompt assessment of the damaged portion of the highway is a demonstration of the leadership commitment of his ministry working round the clock to deliver on its mandate. Yobe State Commissioner for Works, Engr Umaru Wakili Duddaye, was among the team that inspected the damaged portion. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted that about 25 states, including Yobe, would experience flood in 2021 ...

Aug

2021

Jebba-Mokwa-Tegina Road Not Cut Off - FG The attention of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to an online story over the weekend, stating that a bridge along Jeba -Mokwa road had collapsed resulting in total closure of the road " This is totally false as the recently constructed Talabu bridge along the road that was claimed to have collapsed is intact contrary to the online report" Faulting the story, the motorists flying the Jeba-Mokwa road who were interviewed confirmed that the road has not been cut off anywhere, as their movement has not been affected in any way as claimed in the story In view of this, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini, hereby assures motorists that the road is safe and passable, urging them to disregard the story and not to panic Mr. Babangida further reassured the public that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is working tirelessly to provide good roads for Nigerians, as such called on the citizens to give the government necessary support and encouragement He explained that the Ministry has Controllers of Works in every state that will quickly inform the Ministry of any emergency of such nature on our roads for immediate intervention. Mr. Babangida therefore appealed to Nigerians to verify stories received on social media before sharing such. ...

Aug

2021

Fashola Inspects Federal Road Projects Executed By Yobe State Government ...Minister promises to submit his findings for consideration by FG The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, on Monday inspected the Nguru - Machina and Gashua - Yusufari, federal road projects that the Yobe State Government executed for which they are requesting reimbursement. While speaking to journalists during the inspection, the Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari promised that refund would be made to all states that intervened in Federal Roads though such interventions took place before the advent of this administration in 2015. He explained that some State Governments got their own refund in the first term of this administration while some others got theirs late last year. However, States like Yobe and Kebbi who were yet to get their own sent their requests to the Federal Government which led to the reconstitution of the Presidential Committee to assess the claims by the State Governments and submit their reports for consideration. Fashola said in response to a question on the possible amount being expected by the State, " You know that there are standard prices for materials and also standard design, we will file our report based on what we find, we have a method for making quantification and we will send it to the government Cost Control Centre and they will then advice government as to appropriate payment ". Speaking on the impact of the ongoing special repair of the heavily flooded area in Zangwon Kanwa on Nguru - Machina Road by the Federal Government, Fashola described the work as a relief measure for the Community because due to the excavation of some of the construction materials from the area, it was burrowed thereby turning it into a pond which has become the lowest point in the place, a situation that brought a lot of challenges to the people. He said the current work by the Government is a temporary measure which would be followed by a permanent solution that would be considered by both the State and Federal Government. The Secretary to Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister for coming to assess the projects and hoped that he had seen quality work. Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engineer Olusegun Babalola Akinmade informed the Minister that the repair work in the flooded area in Zangwon Kanwa on Nguru - Machina road will intensify after the raining season. He said the water in the pond will be rechannelled while the capacity will be increased downward by 2 metres just as it is done in residential houses when Septic Tanks are emptied. The Controller said the situation was so bad before work commenced in the area to the extent that some residents were evacuated. The Minister was received at the border between Jigawa and Yobe by the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engineer Olusegun Akinmade and a high-level delegation comprising the Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Lawal Mirwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Umar Wakili and some traditional rulers. He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Director Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunsho Esan and the Director Highways, North East, Engr. Celestine Shausu among others. ...