Federal Ministry of Works

Mar

2026

LATEST PRESS

UMAHI DECLARES AN END TO YEARS OF DEADLY TRAPS AND GRIDLOCK ON THE ENUGU–ONITSHA EXPRESSWAY, SETS MARCH 31 DEADLINE FOR REOPENING

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON has declared that the long-troubled Enugu–Onitsha Expressway is fast shedding its grim past, as the Federal Government intensifies a sweeping infrastructure upgrade across the South-East under the President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Umahi made the declaration on Monday, March 23, 2026, during an inspection of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover, where he expressed confidence that the era of consistent fatal accidents, endless traffic, and public frustration along the road is coming to an end.

“I’m going round the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be commissioned before May 29th by Mr President. There are mega project that the President will be available for before May 29th and we mean it,” the Minister said.

Once regarded as one of the most dangerous highways in the region, the Enugu–Onitsha road had for years been plagued by tanker explosions, loss of lives, and economic disruptions. But Umahi said decisive intervention by the Tinubu administration has changed the trajectory.

“Now this route, the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, you recall that when we came on board, everyday, people were talking about this road. There were a lot of tanker accidents, a lot of people died and so forth. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the President has swinged into action,” he stated.

The Minister disclosed that the dual carriageway, which spans 107 kilometres on each side, is undergoing a major structural shift, with a significant portion being converted from asphalt to concrete to ensure durability.

“It is not only that we are repairing this road… about half of it is going on to be concrete. I have no confidence in asphalt I continue to say it. By the time the asphalt fail we will have 50 percent of the road still intact and if it fails within the second tenure of the president then be rest assured that we will fix it,” he said.

He added that the same approach is being extended to sections in Anambra State, including the head bridge axis, where an initial asphalt design is being replaced with concrete pavement to align with modern highway standards.

“At the head Bridge we have 39k, we’re changing that to concrete so that we can have this coastal road type of road pavement there in Anambra and here in Enugu,”.

Beyond reconstruction, the project is also being enhanced with solar-powered street lighting and environmental features aimed at improving safety and sustainability.

“So that is going to happen but then not only that. We are putting solar light both for the one that was constructed before us and the one that is being done by us. Within the first one week we will have solar light up to this 1km and we continue we are also going to plant trees which is very important,” he added.

The Minister urged the people of the South-East to recognise the level of federal intervention in the region, noting that such attention to infrastructure was previously lacking.

“The people of South East have to be very grateful to Mr President. The reason is that we never had it like this. I was governor for 8 years and I can’t think of any Federal road project in Ebonyi State,” he said.

He also cautioned against divisive narratives, warning that some actors were misleading the public for selfish interests.

“I want to ask our people to be very very careful, there are people that pretend that they are helping us but they actually inciting us against government… we need to know when people are genuinely interested in our case,” he said.

Calling for sustained support for President Tinubu, Umahi described the ongoing works as part of a broader effort to correct past neglect and integrate the South-East more fully into national development.

“Let us allow this man that have started to right the wrong metted on us as the people of Southeast in the past. Let us allow him the next four years and we will be very much fully integrated,” he stated, adding, “To know the revolution that is going on in infrastructure… this is the Biafra we are looking for.”

As a major milestone, the Minister directed that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway be reopened for public use on or before March 31.

“I have given the controller the authority, by the 31st or before, he should call the press to open this road, call the people of South East… let them know that this road is open for travel and that will be our Easter celebration,”.

Addressing concerns over project costs, Umahi clarified that the Ministry of Works does not unilaterally determine project pricing, noting that approvals pass through multiple regulatory layers, including the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council.

“I’m not the final authority when it comes to the cost of a project, there are layers of approval, the Bureau of Public Procurement, their own stands and not my own,” he explained.

He maintained that the standard being applied to the Enugu–Onitsha project is consistent with major road projects across the country.

“The same road architecture as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway… so no discrimination with the president, everybody is the same,” Umahi said.

Jan

2023

FG Hands over 2 Kilometre Road to University of Jos. The Federal Government has commissioned and handed over the two-kilometre road rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of works and Housing to the Management of the University of Jos, Plateau State. At the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Plateau State, Engineer Usman Abubakar Majin stated that the gap of the infrastructure need was steadily been bridged by the gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and schools. The Minister pointed out that the quality of education is connected with the quality of Infrastructure in an institution of learning. He said, "It is undebatable 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 feedback from students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place." Fashola further said," We have successfully intervened in 64 internal road projects in various Federal Tertiary Institutions and handed over a total of 46 as at March, 2022 and we now have another 18 ready to be handed over while we are currently attending to 19 roads in similar institutions across the Country making a total of 83." The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Tanko Ishaya who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Joshua Amopitan, expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for the road rehabilitation, adding that it has brought a lot of relief to the students and staff of the Institution. He said, "The road was in a terrible shape before it was reconstructed, it will not only benefit the students because it leads to the hostel but also our staff and parents who normally come to the institution." The VC added that the vehicular hiccups normally experienced in the University had been drastically reduced due to the current good condition of the road. He further said that the forthcoming 22nd and 23rd convocation of the University will be merrier as a result of the road. The occasion was witnessed by the Registrar, Dr Rejoice Songdem, Director Physical Facilities, Halima Auta, the University Librarian, Dr. Thomas Adigun and other staff of the institution. It was a joyful moment within and around the University community in Jos, Plateau state. ...

Jan

2023

Fashola Hands Over Intervention and Reinstatement of Gully Erosion and Connecting Road At UNIBEN ... Says Buhari Govt intensifies work in our national life Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN handed over an important asset, Intervention and Reinstatement of Gully Erosion and Connecting Road at the Ugbowo Campus, University of Benin [ UNIBEN) Edo State. At the commissioning he said " It is true that a lot of work needs to be done in many sectors of our national life, including education, the Buhari government has stepped up to lead the process of getting that work done" Before the completion of the project some staff and students residing close to the Ugbowo Campus of UNIBEN and residents in Iguo-Osaigie and other surrounding communities in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo were about to be cut off because of the ravaging gully erosion in the area. The Edo State Controller of Works who represented the Minister at the event Engr. (Dr) Aransiola Ademola said " the structural work and the water drainage were professionally displayed and the filling of sand is about 7 metres high " Vice Chancellor, UNIBEN Professor Lilian Salami in her remarks said " this gully erosion has taken its toll on critical areas of development of the University over the years, it is not in doubt. The good news is that we made our pleas and cries to government and the pleas have received the desired attention of government and we are today savoring the result of a government that listens and acts. She said " kudos must also go to our worthy Alumnus of the University, Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN for his commitments to the successful implementation of the project". Executive Officer, Edo State flood Erosion & Watershed Management Agency, Dr Tom Obaseki said “We are very happy to see that the reinstatement of gully Erosion and connecting road is completed today , we are always available to support the Federal Government in executing project" The Manager of the Construction Company, Levant Construction Ltd in charge of the project Engr Albert Abboud said ' we have delivered many projects and handed them over to the government, this road was washed because of erosion and it was not motorable before we completed the project" A 300-level student of Animal Science, UNIBEN Edogiawerie Jason said the road was no go area before the intervention work of Federal Government, he thanked the Ministry of Works and Housing for remembering the institution. A student from Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Courage Uchemefune who was at the event said " I used to work as a dispatch rider, the road was not really good, I appreciate Federal Government for working on the road and the gully erosion, UNIBEN needs more intervention of this type ". ...

Jan

2023

Federal Government Hands Over Internal Road Project at Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa …...MD and others express gratitude. On behalf of the Federal Government, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing has handed over a 380 metres internal road at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The minister who was represented at the event by the Federal Controller Works, Bayelsa State, Engr. Patrick Nneji said that the road project was an intervention in the health sector to improve the health condition of all humanity. Fashola said, "It is undebatable that the quality of health will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from staff of the Centre, where this type of intervention has taken place." The minister disclosed that, "The Federal Government has successfully delivered through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing 64 internal road projects at various Federal Tertiary Institutions and Federal Hospitals and also handed over a total of 46 as at March 2022 and we now have another 18 ready to be handed over, while we are currently attending to other 19 internal roads in similar institutions/federal hospitals across the country, making a total of 83." The minister noted that staff and patients are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to the face lift at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State because some defective roads have been restored to good condition. Fashola disclosed that during the construction about 60 persons were employed thereby contributing to the job creation initiatives of the Federal Government. In his remarks the Medical Director of the Centre, Prof. Dennis Oju Allagoa who was represented by Dr. Peter Alabrah, Head of Clinical Services at the Centre expressed joy and gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN the Honourable Minister for this laudable internal road project that was handed over. Prof. Allagoa said, "It is on record that and it is noted that Mr. President’s, Slogan of 'On the Next Level' is already happening at the Center. Today, we are seeing the impact of what Mr. President has done from what we have seen in this road project that has been handed over to us. We have indeed moved to the next level." The Medical Director also noted that the centre in deed benefited a lot from other Federal Government projects in year 2022. The Medical Director also appreciated Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN the Honourable Minister for keeping faith and ensuring that the road project was completed and handed over. He noted that the road project has transformed the landscape of the Centre and made it very beautiful. He added that it has made access possible by those walking and driving through with vehicles. During an interview session with some of the staff, they expressed their feelings thus as follows: Mrs. Christian Soseipiriala Mozimo, a nurse at the centre said: "I work at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Over the years this road has been bad. It was not fair enough for patients’ movement. After the construction of this road, you can see how beautiful the whole environment is looking and aiding patients’ accessibility to healthcare. I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN." Another staff who is also a nurse at the centre, Deborah Emmanuel has this to say: "I work at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. I really want to thank the Federal Government for this good road they brought to us. Before the construction the road was very difficult to access and not in good shape. But after the renovation we thank God that we now have a good road to ply on by both students and staff. The constructed road will enable us to perform our jobs better." ...

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Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

May

2018

Up Your Game, Zarma Urges Indigenous Contractors

- Osun Government Commends FG on Massive Infrastructure Delivery

Minister of State 11, Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan Zarma has urged indigenous contractors handling Federal Government projects to “up their game” by improving on their pace of work in order to deliver their projects on schedule.He said Government has much confidence on indigenous contractors and disclosed that the present administration is determined to encourage and promote indigenous contractors.

The Minister who is on inspection of the Ministry’s projects to the South-West Zone, however expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work at the the 27.6Km Oshogbo- Ilesha Road, Section 1 handled by Messers Horizon Construction Limited. He said it was appalling for a 27Km road Rehabilitation project awarded since 2010 to exceed its completion date by 104 per cent in 2018. He asked “if it takes you 8 years to rehabilitate a road, how many years will it take you to build one”.

Zarma challenged the contractor to prove his capacity to deliver the job and stop giving excuses for the delay. He said, ‘government gave you the job with the assurance that you can deliver, you asked for extension after a long delay, your request is not approved, you have to mobilize every resource to meet up the extended October 2018 completion date”.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been highly commended for the massive execution and monitoring of its infrastructure projects across the nation particularly on roads, housing and power. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Minister to the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Tomori, said the Minister’s inspection of on-going projects in the state and across the nation laid credence to the commitment of the present administration to deliver basic infrastructure to the people. She said, “your visit to the state has confirmed the seriousness the federal government attaches to road construction in the state and the nation at large”. She further applauded the Minister for undertaking the tour by road to see things for himself and ensured that the contractors are working.

The deputy governor disclosed that the state was also complimenting the federal government effort by constructing over a 1000km of roads across the state. According to her, the state governor was well known to be a “ constructor of roads”.

Briefing the Minister at the Oshogbo- Ilesha road inspection, the Federal Controller, Works, Engr Omorekpe Njoku said, that the contract was awarded in 2010 at a contract sum of .N2.69b but was later reviewed to N2.88b to accommodate the drainage works on the road. He affirmed that the contractor is indeed slow in delivery on the project.

The Contractor, Messers Horizon Construction however explained that the reason for the prolonged delay in the completion of the project was due to the non budgetary appropriation for the project by past administrations for about three years leading them to stop work at a time. He however commended the present administration for including the project in its appropriation since last year and promised to mobilize fully to meet the completion deadline.