Federal Ministry of Works

May

2026

LATEST PRESS

INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINS CRITICAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH — PERMANENT SECRETARY TELLS INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2026 IN ABUJA

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, has reaffirmed that infrastructure development remains the foundation of economic growth and sustainable national development, stressing that no nation can attain meaningful progress without substantial investment in critical infrastructure.

Speaking at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 held on Thursday in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary described infrastructure as a key driver of economic transformation, noting that the present administration has prioritised infrastructure and transportation as central pillars of national development.

According to him, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Africa have continued to achieve significant economic advancement through deliberate and sustained investments in roads, railways, power, and other essential infrastructure.

He explained that infrastructure plays a strategic role across all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, transportation, commerce, and oil and gas, by facilitating the movement of goods and services, enhancing productivity, attracting investments, and improving the quality of life of citizens.

Adeladan further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works has adopted modern and resilient road construction technology known as Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP), in line with global best practices and in response to the growing impact of climate change on road infrastructure.

He noted that although CRCP roads require higher initial construction costs, they are more durable, environmentally sustainable, cost-effective over time, and capable of withstanding heavy traffic loads for up to 50 years with minimal maintenance.
The Permanent Secretary added that the adoption of concrete pavement technology promotes local content development through the utilisation of locally sourced materials and labour, thereby creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

Addressing the challenges confronting infrastructure development in Nigeria, Adeladan identified inadequate funding as a major constraint, particularly given the enormous resources required to bridge the nation’s infrastructure deficit.

He explained that government alone cannot provide all the funding needed for infrastructure development, hence the increasing adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and concession arrangements for major road projects nationwide.
He cited the Benin–Asaba Road and the Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga corridor as examples of projects already concessioned to ensure sustainable maintenance, improved efficiency, and enhanced service delivery.

The Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of designing infrastructure projects with clear developmental objectives, sustainability, climate resilience, and community needs in mind, noting that infrastructure investments must deliver tangible socio-economic benefits and long-term public value.

Also speaking at the conference, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi, underscored the importance of proper planning and climate-conscious infrastructure delivery to mitigate losses caused by flooding, erosion, and poor maintenance culture.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Emanso Umobong, advocated the integration of technology, smart city concepts, community participation, and human capital development in infrastructure planning and implementation.

In his remarks, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) emphasised that Nigeria’s huge infrastructure gap requires stronger private sector participation, noting that sustainable infrastructure financing can only be achieved through an enabling environment that guarantees investor confidence and reasonable returns on investment.

The conference brought together top government officials, policymakers, development experts, and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening infrastructure delivery and promoting sustainable national development through innovation, technology, and collaborative partnerships.

Mohammed A. Ahmed
Director, Information and Public Relations
21st May,2026

Nov

2021

Damages On Federal Roads Now To Be Prosecuted By Attorneys-General Of Host States · Fashola requests Ogun State Attorney-General to take over prosecution of case of damage to flyover bridges on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway In a bid to stem the tide of wilful damage to Federal Roads and other infrastructure across the country as it strives to renew the nation’s infrastructure, the Federal Government has directed State Attorneys-General to henceforth prosecute all such cases and ensure that offenders face legal sanctions. The directive, which emanated from the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, specifically directed the Attorneys-General of the 36 States of the Federal to immediately takeover both pending and new cases of damages to Federal roads, bridges and other public utilities within their jurisdictions. On the strength of this directive, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has written to the Attorney-General of Ogun State requesting him to take over a criminal case of damage to three flyover bridges along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway against one Folarin Temitope. According to the letter dated October 14, 2021, the fact of the case, RE-CHARGE NO: MIS/221/2021: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE VS FOLAREIN TIMITOPE ‘M’ 30 YEARS, is that on March 12, 2021, one Folarin Temitope, while driving a low-bed Renault trailer with registration number MUS 758 XU, conveying an excavator, damaged three flyover bridges at Ogunmakin, Isara and Sapade respectively along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Investigations later by the Ogunmakin Unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) revealed that the excavator inflicted the damage on the bridges because its height was above the clearance level allowed by the bridges and this led to the booking of the driver for road obstruction and dangerous driving while the Isara Police Division impounded the vehicle and charged the driver to the Isara Magistrate Court in Ogun State. Noting that the Court ordered the release of the vehicle owners when the case came up for hearing at the Court on August 3, 2021, Fashola requested the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to take over the prosecution of the suit saying the seriousness of the case required that the Commissioner for Justice should “exercise his constitutional power to take over the suit” as directed by the Federal Government. Requesting the Commissioner to liaise with the FRSC and the Police Prosecutor for further information about the case, the Minister declared, “having regard to the seriousness of the offense and the implication of the damage occasioned by the negligence of the driver on the affected bridges, the Federal Government is interested in ensuring that the matter is prosecuted diligently and professionally by the Ministry of Justice with Counsel in the Ministry of Works and Housing holding watching brief”. ...

Nov

2021

Third Mainland Bridge Is Safe, Intact The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Engineer Olukayode Popoola, has debunked insinuations making the rounds in the social media that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has “opened up” and “shaking” and, therefore, unsafe to traffic saying the claim was both false and unfounded. Giving an on-the-spot report on the Bridge, the Controller, who said he just drove along the Bridge without noticing any opening or experiencing any shaking as contained in the social media report, advised members of the public, especially commuters, to ignore the insinuations as the Bridge, which is receiving regular attention along with others across the country, is safe for use. ...

Nov

2021

We will continue to prioritize welfare of staff - Perm. Sec. (FMW&H) The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMW&H) Babangida Hussaini has said that his Ministry under the leadership of His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN will continue to give priority to staff welfare in order to motivate them to give their best to the service of the nation as the Ministry pursues President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate of infrastructural development in the nation. Mr Hussaini made the remarks during handing over of the newly acquired four 36-seater Toyota Coaster Buses to the staff of his Ministry through their union, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), today in the premises of the Ministry. The official handing over event took place at the Ministry Headquarters with some of the Management staff, The Labour Union Executive members and some staff of the Ministry in attendance. The Permanent Secretary in his remarks said that he was grateful to God for making the purchase possible and to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN for granting approval for the procurement and commended the Executives of the Union for their maturity during the procurement period. Mr Hussaini said he was dedicating the purchase to Director of Human Resources Works and Housing Umar Abdullahi Utono who retired today as a parting gift due to his wise counsel and for the necessary follow up to make the purchase a reality. He promised that more staff buses would still be purchased as the procurement is in batches while the old ones that are grounded would be refurbished as soon as proposal from the reputable motor mechanics are considered for approval. Director Human Resources of the Ministry, Umar Abdullahi Utono said “I cherish the Permanent Secretary for the official handing over of the buses to staff, and it is one event that will remain in my memory, and he has provided welfare for staff within a short period. The four buses would cover the following major routes: Bwari /Dutse, Suleja, Karshi /Jikwoyi and Gwagwalada. It is a major milestone.” The Union Chairman of Works and Housing branch of AUPCTRE, Comrade Sunday Sanusi said “When I heard that these vehicles have been purchased it was like a dream to me, I am using this opportunity to say thank you to Permanent Secretary and the management for making it a reality.” The official handing over of the event was rounded off after the Permanent Secretary performed the test running of the buses. ...