Federal Ministry of Works

Mar

2026

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UMAHI RAISES ALARM OVER MISUSE OF ROADS, WARNS AGAINST PARKING OF TANKS, OTHER HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES

-As young engineers set to understudy the project under the President’s mentorship program

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON has raised serious concern over the damaging practice of parking fuel tankers and other heavy-duty vehicles on newly constructed roads, warning that such actions pose direct threat to the durability and lifespan of critical national infrastructure.

The Minister made this known during an inspection of the Aleto Bridge project, Rivers State on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

“Yesterday I was passing through this road, the entire road we have completed was totally blocked… not by moving vehicles but fuel tankers, they parked on the road.”

He emphasized that no road infrastructure is designed to withstand prolonged static loading from heavy vehicles.

“No road project anywhere in the world is designed for static loads, they will destroy the road.”

With the total project cost exceeding ₦230 billion ₦156 billion for phase one and ₦83 billion for phase two the Minister stressed that such investments must be protected.

“Is that what we should fold our hands and allow it to be destroyed?”

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being delivered by the contractor, RCC, while also commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his decisive intervention in sustaining the project.

“I want to thank RCC very highly and commend Mr President for his heart of love toward the Niger Delta,” the Minister stated.

He explained that although funding by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ceased in August 2025, the President promptly approved an alternative funding mechanism, ensuring that work continued uninterrupted.

“We are not owing RCC on this project… it is a very, very highly skilled and technical project and I’m very happy with the quality of work.”

The Minister described the Aleto Bridge Project as a landmark engineering effort, incorporating modern concrete pavement technology, solar-powered lighting, environmental landscaping, and reinforced structural features.

In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development, the Minister disclosed plans to integrate young Nigerian engineers into the project through a mentorship programme championed by President Tinubu.

“We are making efforts on President Tinubu mentorship programme where young engineers will come and study what we’re doing here. They are our future leaders and it is a technical project to behold.”

Providing an update on timelines, the Minister noted that one carriageway of the project is expected to be completed before May 25, 2026, with the first phase projected for full completion by August 2026.

“They have promised me that before May 25th that one carriageway of this very innovative construction will be completed and before August the first phase of this project would have been totally completed.”

He further expressed confidence that the second phase, which includes multiple flyovers and bridges, will be delivered within the year.

The Minister also highlighted the strategic redesign of the project from asphalt to concrete pavement, a decision directed by the President to ensure long-term durability.

“We inherited this project from zero ground. It was the President that directed that we should redesign using concrete and then you can see the result.”

The Honourable Minister concluded by calling on Nigerians, particularly road users and transport operators, to take collective responsibility in safeguarding public infrastructure.

“Let us protect our own. The minister cannot be here and everywhere. The road is being done and it’s been perfectly done but we have a duty to protect it.”

Feb

2024

How Sen. Umahi's Extra-Ordinary Project Supervision Power and Zero Tolerance for Waste Resonate in the Delivery of a Quality and Enduring Road Infrastructure Nationwide …..Last Inspection Visit to Enugu and Abia and Port Harcourt in Focus 1. As the appointment of an ingenious civil engineer, accomplished captain of industry and seasoned public administrator of many years standing as Works Minister by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR continues to receive commendation from Nigerians, the Hon. Minister of Works, H.E. Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has continued to justify the confidence reposed on him. 2. This is evident in the innovations he introduced in road construction, maintenance, and management as well as concrete technology; his initiatives on project scoping and design, extra-ordinary contract negotiation powers, and precision; his new policy on having a COREN registered Engineers on project sites, working with the State Government's Works department for joint evaluation of projects awarded by Federal Government within the boundaries of their States and a thorough inspection of all projects embarked upon by the Federal Ministry of Works. The Hon. Minister of Works is a man who matches words with action. Since he came on board, he has continued to make it a point of duty to inspect ongoing projects, and the people are already seeing the difference, and this underscores the fact that Mr. President means business. The last project inspection visit of the Honourable Minister of Works was to road projects in Rivers, Abia, and Enugu States, which he inspected between 16th and 18th February 2024. 3. In the last inspection visit, the first port of call of the Honourable Minister was the dualization of East- West Road Section 11(Sub- Section 11) Ahoada- Kaiama (Rivers/ Bayelsa States) handled by Rock Result on three flood prone locations. The Honourable Minister, who arrived at the project site at about 6pm, commended the company for complying with specifications. He said, "........" This was also the impression expressed by the Senate Deputy Whip and member Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Distinguished Sen. Barr. Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi. "......" 4. The Honourable Minister continued his inspection visit the following day to see the ongoing upgrading of the section of the East- West Road section 111, from Eleme junction to Onne junction in Rivers State, handled by Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd where he commended the improvements made by the company on the work specification. He tasked them with having a milestone performance before the rainy reason. "The Hon. Minister also made a stop over at Koroma Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State to solidarize with the Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Distinguished Senator Mpigi Barinada, PhD on his thanksgiving service in celebration of his successful election into the Senate. The programme which had in attendance who is who in the 10th National Assembly to have a feedback on the excitement of the people of the area on the quality of job done in the ongoing project in the area. 5. On the 18th day of February 2024, the Hon. Minister of Works covered five project locations along the Enugu- Port Harcourt Highway. He first visited the rehabilitation work at Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4(Aba- PH) handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). At the project location, the Hon. Minister frowned at the slow pace of work and the inability of the company to mobilize effectively to the site. He therefore directed the Ag. Controller of Works Rivers State to follow due process and issue 14 days Termination Notice within which if the company fails to mobilize, due process would be followed to terminate the contract. The Hon. Minister proceeded to the Aba axis of the expressway where he stopped over to inspect the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2, Umuahia Tower- Aba Aba Township Rail/ Road Crossing in Abia State. The Hon. Minister commended the speed and quality of job done and urged them to keep it up. ""....." This was followed by his inspection of the Rehabilitation of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu- Lokpanta handled by CGC. The Hon. Minister also appreciate the progress of work "........" He ended the inspection with a visit to the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega fillings station Enugu Capital City, Enugu State and the construction of 23 Span flyover Bridge project at Eke-Obinagu Junction (NNPC Depot), Along Enugu Abakaliki Road, Enugu State to decongest movement of gridlock in southeast. Meanwhile, the CCECC has been issued with the notice to fully mobilize to the site by the Controller of Works, Rivers. It is expected that by the time the Honourable Minister comes back in the nearest time, the company would have substantial work. Road infrastructure development across the nation is having commendable improvement. Nigeria will soon see that Mr. President means business with Nigeria's prosperity. ...

Feb

2024

Works Minister Pledges Robust Engagement with COREN on Development of Engineering Practice The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr) Nweze David Umahi, CON, has pledged robust engagement with the Council for the Reregulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on the development of engineering practice in Nigeria. “It is our intention to work with COREN and all other engineering affiliates, we will like to work with you as we have so far carried you along very well incorporating into a number of our committees and you have responded positively”. The Honourable Minister gave the pledge today when the leadership of COREN led by the President and Chairman of Council, Engr. Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubaker, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. Sen. Umahi, who spoke to the delegation in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, stressed the importance of partnering with the engineering body, noting that it has become expedient for COREN and other stakeholders to work for the development of the profession; especially the need to uphold professional ethics and excellence. Emphasizing the role of COREN, he said “I do believe strongly that the engineering body is not doing what should be done; there is supposed to be action where professional ethics are breached.” Continuing, he opined that “there should be punitive action taken that will help in promoting professional ethics and ultimately leading to promoting engineering service as in the case of other professions like Law.” On the need for the regulators to upscale their impact on the practice, he stated that “If the engineering bodies should do their work of ensuring the discipline of our profession, then we can get a better practice, a better society. The people you fail to supervise today are going to be the ones to build the bridges we will use tomorrow; that is the danger if we don’t do our own part to ensure that the professional ethics are enforced,” the Minister submitted. Earlier in his remarks, the President of COREN, Engr. Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubaker expressed his delight on how the Honourable Minister has in the last few months changed the narration in the critical sector of infrastructural development in the country. He reassured the Honourable Minister of continuing partnership with the Ministry in the interest of the development of the engineering practice in the country. In the delegation of COREN were the Registrar of COREN, Engr. Prof. Adisa Bello; the Head of Finance and Accounts, Lawan Mariri. Others include Engr Ahmed Kutigi, and Engr. Teah Andrew Onyilo. ...

Feb

2024

Federal Ministry of Works Finalizes Discussion with Janson Bridging International, Netherland on a €25-Million Grant for Construction of 28 Priority Bridges in Nigeria, Set to Fine-Tune Processes and Documentations with Federal Ministry of Finance to Realize the Project 1. In keeping with the initiative to think outside the box in rejiggling the nation's economy by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has finalized discussions with investors from Netherland to attract a grant of 25 million Euros for the construction of priority bridges in Nigeria. 2. This was disclosed after a meeting of the Honourable Minister of Works with a team of investors from Netherland led by the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland, His Excellency Oluremi Oliyide. The Honourable Minister assured the team of the positive disposition of the Federal Government towards accessing international interventions from donor agencies and other development partners to address the infrastructural deficits inhibiting economic development in Nigeria. He said that an increase in partnerships and collaborations was necessary to support the funding of the critical sector of the economy for the promotion of robust and equitable economic growth. He assured the investors that once due diligence was carried out, he would present the proposal to Mr. President for approval. He said" We have a number of projects that we can do together. But I think the best thing to do is to conclude this one, which is a grant, then get the process started, and at the point of agreement and project selection, we shall refer to Mr. President for his approval". 3. In his earlier remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland said the team was in his office to discuss the offer of a grant of 25 million Euros by Janson Bridging International for investment in road infrastructure in Nigeria. According to him, "Janson Bridging is the largest modular bridge manufacturing and bridging company in continental Europe and the largest bridge rental company in the world. " He promised to assist in fast tracking the agreement implementation process on the side of the company as soon as all formalizations were concluded. 4. On his own part, a member of the team and International Business Consultant, Eric Okunde, said the investors were ready with the proposal and that they were technically prepared to work with the Federal Ministry of Works in the mapping and design of the projects as well as the formulation of the template for the execution of the project. ...

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Nov

2025

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Jan

2021

FG’S Intervention On Roads Has Improved The Quality Of Learning In Our Institutions- Prof. Angela Miri

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Prof. Angela Miri, has lauded Federal Government for the construction of internal road in the University which she said had improved the quality of learning in the institution.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the roads to the institution by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Tuesday 26th January, 2021 in Lokoja, Miri said that the road has not only made vehicular and human movement within the university easy but added value as well as placing it above its equals within the country in terms of provision of infrastructure.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the University Librarian to the institution, Mrs. Sarah Daura Yank, further requested that the Minister of Works and Housing should consider replicating this gesture of constructing internal roads network at the University’s Permanent site at Felele Lokoja, Kogi State.

“The extension of roads infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary institutions by the Federal government will create a conducive learning environment that will improve attainment of qualitative education in Nigeria.” She added.
In his speech, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN disclosed that the 1.67 kilometers road was constructed by his ministry at the institution to improve learning.

Mr. Fashola, who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Kogi State, Engr. Kajogbola Olatunde, said that availability of good infrastructure in a learning environment would enhance students’ morale towards learning and the quality of education acquired by them.

He said: "It is un- debatable that quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from the students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place."

He noted that though the road projects might be civil works, they are investment in education, adding that the students' zeal to attend classes have been renewed because of the restoration of the deplorable roads within the institutions.

"A point must be made that although this is a civil works project, it is an investment in education and the students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to good condition," Fashola stated.

He explained: "Currently, there are 43 number of road interventions within tertiary institution across Nigeria" and "to date 29 No. of the road intervention projects have been completed with 17 already handed over in 2020. Today we handover this one in Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State as a critical intervention to support education."

According to Fashola, the Infrastructure gap in the country was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and now it had reached the schools. Pointing out that the road construction was part of the Federal Government’s Tertiary Institutions Internal Road Intervention Programme and was supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The Minister said that the construction work was not only impactful on the learning environment but had also provided employment opportunities for Nigerians in line with the present administration's vision of creating jobs for Nigerians.

"During the construction 25 people were employed in the process thereby contributing to the job creation initiative of the present government," he said.

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Aug

2018

Ensuring Value For Money In Nigerian Highways Development Being Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, San At The National Council On Works, Held In Kebbi

On behalf of the State Commissioners and other Members of Council, I express the appreciation of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the Government and People of Kebbi State for hosting our Council Meeting and for doing so under very hospitable circumstances, in Birnin Kebbi.

Apart from being the home of famous Emirates like Gwandu, Yauri, Zuru, Argungu to mention a few, Kebbi State has come to the centre stage in Nigeria’s developmental history, especially at this time when Governor Atiku Bagudu is providing visionary, developmental and progressive leadership.

Statesmen, not big men, as former Governors, former Chief Judges have rallied around their Governor and Government to pursue a common goal of development.

From Agriculture, to Roads, Housing to Power, whenever it is partnership for Development, Atiku Bagudu will be found making the strongest case for why Kebbi must be involved. This remarkable and inspiring leadership must be acknowledged.

It is in this environment of developmental focus that we converge for the 24th National Council for Works to discuss development around getting “Value for Money in Nigerian Highways”.

Ladies and gentlemen, I found this topic appealing to this Council because of some of the assumptions that have been made about Cost of Roads in Nigeria, the questions I have had to answer, posed by people who ought to know, and because I hope to generate a more informed conversation about the matter.

It is my expectation that in each State, we will be sufficiently interested to interrogate issues like the source of value, where it lies and how to get the best out of it.

Therefore, I would like to start by asking the question why Nigeria has bad roads after almost a decade of prolific receipts from oil boom when oil prices were at $100 per barrel.

The answer is partly because we did not invest our money in Roads in the way that the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, to mention a few oil-exporting countries, have done.

To the extent that Roads are assets that live for longer periods of time and deliver collective National Benefit in terms of movement of goods and services and contribution to the GDP, clearly, it is doubtful that we got optimum value for those oil incomes between 2007 and 2015.

In other words, instead of investing our oil receipts in Roads, and long-term assets, of infrastructure, we spent the money on recurrent items of expenditure.

This is clearly discernible from the Annual Federal Budgets of that era, where the maximum provision for Capital Expenditure struggled to exceed 20%, when they seldom went beyond the threshold of 15%; and what was ultimately released by way of cash was scarcely ever in excess of 50%.

The result of these, of course was that by 2015 when I took office, there were over 200 roads whose contract values were in excess of N2 trillion and for which payments had only cumulated to about N500 billion.

Some of these roads had been awarded for upwards of 10 (ten) years. Inadequate budget and funding had delayed their completion. Many sites had been abandoned, workers laid off, equipment grounded.

This was where the Buhari Government picked up. With significantly lower oil incomes, we got the contractors back to site one after the other. We raised the budget size from N4 Trillion to N6 Trillion in 2016 and increased capital spending to 30%; which was funded by borrowing to finance the deficit.

For those who wanted roads to be fixed and those who did not want the nation to borrow, there is no middle ground. You either borrow to invest in tomorrow’s infrastructure at today’s prices, or wait until you can do it tomorrow at tomorrow’s price.

Our reality today is that the roads that were awarded 10 years ago and were not funded then have to be funded at today’s prices of money, interest rates, and at today’s prices of cement, iron rod, laterite and labour wages.

Clearly, we lost not only the value of money not properly invested, we lost value in the cost of doing business without good roads. We lost value in productivity by men and machine that became redundant.

While we cannot recover what is lost, we must not lose what is ahead; in this regard, I am happy to say that the Buhari Government is investing wisely and sensibly in the infrastructure that will drive Nigeria’s tomorrow.

From Rail to Ports, Power and Roads, this administration is resolute in its determination to complete ongoing or abandoned projects. Today, there is no State in Nigeria where the Federal Government of Nigeria is not executing one Road Project.

Hon. Commissioner has confirmed in his address Roads being executed in Kebbi. He wants more , the Buhari Government is ready to do more. It is in your hands to bring him back.

Undoubtedly, we have done more with less. This is the meaning of value. But there are other challenges that we must work together to improve upon in order to remove avoidable costs from Road and related infrastructure development.

A) Land issues, compensation, and court cases compound the cost of construction.

B) Conflicts, security breaches, pose risks to construction workers, which escalates costs in many ways, such as insurance, payment of security personnel, delays to project completion, to mention a few;

C) The absence of uniform Public Sector Procurement Prices;

D) Proper project planning, development and supervision;

E) Post-construction maintenance of scheduled and unscheduled natures to achieve asset life cycle expectation and performance; ( Bridges – Tamburawa, Tatabu, Third Mainland, Niger Bridge, Koton Karfe , Ijora, Isaac Boro).

F) Dispute resolution mechanisms as a means of achieving cost efficiency in road construction and achieving value for money, must be interrogated;

G) Government Treasury Operations and Payment Systems, review and reform will contribute to achieving better value for money in Road Development Project.

H) Increasing local content in Nigeria Road Construction and implementing Presidential Order 5.

Ladies and Gentlemen, these are only some of the items of avoidable costs around which we should have a conversation and a resolution if we are to achieve better value for money.

Each one of them is a full subject of debate in itself.

It is my expectation that many sections of the construction industry will rise up to the challenges inherent in improving each of the areas I have highlighted.

I make myself ready to contribute and participate upon reasonable notice.

Thank you for listening and I wish us very fruitful deliberations.

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

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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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