Federal Ministry of Works

Feb

2026

LATEST PRESS

WORKS MINISTRY DID NOT AWARD ABUJA–KADUNA ROAD CONTRACT TO MIKANO – UMAHI CLARIFIES

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has clarified that the Federal Ministry of Works did not award the Abuja–Kaduna Road contract to Mikano International Limited. The Minister stated that the contract was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, in line with due procurement processes and transparency standards.

The Minister made this clarification while briefing journalist on 12 Febuary, 2026 in the Ministry Confrence Room in Mabushi Abuja, also drawing public attention to the increasing rate of vandalisation of critical road infrastructure across the country. He noted that the Ministry has a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to protect national infrastructure from destruction.

Engr. Umahi expressed serious concern over widespread vandalism affecting roads, bridges, and related infrastructure nationwide. He cited recent cases along the Lagos Coastal Road corridor, where protective structures and road components have been deliberately damaged.

According to the Minister, flooding recorded in some sections of the coastal highway was largely caused by blockage of underground drainage channels with refuse, emphasizing the need for public cooperation in maintaining infrastructure.

He commended the Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the Nigeria Police for deploying personnel to safeguard critical infrastructure and combat vandalism.

Parking of heavy trucks on bridges creates structural stress, as bridges are not designed for static heavy loads. He disclosed that some offenders have already been arrested and are being prosecuted.

The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s adoption of reinforced concrete road technology, which is expected to last between 50 and 100 years, compared to traditional asphalt roads. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for supporting long-term infrastructure development and for approving several strategic road projects nationwide.

The Minister announced the
Extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road by 8.7km to link the East–West Road, using concrete pavement technology.

He added that Progress on major legacy road corridors including routes connecting Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri.
Expansion of CCTV surveillance on major bridges and highways to curb vandalism and enhance monitoring.
The Minister emphasized that federal road projects are distributed based on national development priorities, not regional considerations. He called on Nigerians to support national unity and protect public assets.

The Federal Government is considering stronger policies and collaboration with private sector partners and state governments to improve road maintenance and enforce compliance against illegal road obstructions and structures.

Addressing the status of NNPCL-funded road projects initiated under Executive Order 007 (April–May 2023), the Minister clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will no longer directly pay contractors for these projects. He announced that the Federal Ministry of Works has officially taken over both project supervision and payment responsibilities, in line with new federal directives.
The Honorable Minister disclosed that ₦127 billion has been released by Mr. President for the continuation of these projects, underscoring the administration’s commitment to completing inherited infrastructure initiatives. He noted that an estimated ₦7 trillion will be required to complete all NNPCL-funded projects, describing them as critical to national connectivity and economic development.

Sen. Umahi further revealed that the Federal Government inherited 6,604 ongoing federal road and bridge projects nationwide, with a projected ₦16.9 trillion required for their completion. He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all inherited projects must be completed, stressing that infrastructure development remains a top priority of the administration.

The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of these projects, assuring Nigerians that the government is determined to deliver quality infrastructure that meets international standards.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, In his closing remarks, thanked members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to national development.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and urged the public and media to verify facts and provide constructive feedback to support improved service delivery.

Jan

2025

Project Inspection: Minister Chides Contractor In continuation of his inspection of projects in the South-South geopolitical zone, the Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE visited ongoing works on the Dualisation of East-West Road, Section II-II (Ahoada-Kaiama) and the Construction of Multiple Box Culverts at Flood Affected Areas on East-West Road, Section II-II (Ahoada-Kaiama) in Rivers and Bayelsa States, yesterday, Wednesday, 8th January, 2025. Engr. Umahi disclosed that he was highly impressed with the quality of work on Section II-II (Ahoada-Kaiama) by Messrs Setraco (Nig.) Ltd. but directed them to speed up the process through the addition of more resources to the job. He reminded them that the April, 2025 delivery date remains sacrosanct. He directed that due to the nature of the soil in the areas affected by floods, where box culverts are being constructed, continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) should be used. The affected area is about 2.3 kilometres. The Project Manager of Setraco, Engr. Isaa Michel, while appreciating the Minister for the site inspection and the savory, as well as unsavoury comments, promised to hasten the pace of work, to meet the dateline. The Minister was also at the site of the Construction of Multiple Box Culverts on the East-West Road being handled by Messrs Rock Result (Nig.) Ltd., where he praised the standard of work but frowned at the level of work achieved. He expressed his disappointment with the pace, stating that the contract was scheduled for finishing by November, 2024 but was extended to December and is still uncompleted. He, therefore, gave the contractor up till the end of January, 2025 to complete it or it stands revoked. Engr. Umahi informed the contractor that the provision of roads and bridges remains a top priority of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Revolution of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He advised them to up their games or be left at the bus stop ...

Jan

2025

Umahi Inspects Sections of East-West Road, Enugu - Port Harcourt Expressway and Bodo - Bonny Road - Sets Clear Expectations for Contractors, Urges Swift Action to Meet Infrastructure Deadlines The Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of work on the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction - Onne Junction), has directed the Contractor, Messrs Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) to deploy more resources to hasten the pace of work or face re-scoping and re-award of the contract. The Minister gave the warning yesterday, Wednesday, 8th January, 2025, while inspecting the progress of work on the project. He reminded the contractor that he has up to the end of April, 2025 to deliver a section of the carriageway. Engr. Umahi, began the inspection of ongoing road projects in the South East and South South geopolitical zones on Tuesday, 7th January, 2024 with the Enugu - Port Harcourt Expressway, Section III (Umuahia - Aba). He applauded the contractor, Messrs Arab Contractors (Nig.) Ltd. on the quality of work but instructed them to deploy in two more sites to speed up the construction and, most importantly, meet the set dateline. The Minister was also on Section IV (Aba - Port Harcourt) of the same alignment being handled by Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). He expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work, noting that they have only been able to access N7, 000,000,000:00K (Seven Billion Naira) out of the N21,000,000,000:00k (Twenty -One Billion Naira) provided for the project, last year. Consequently, he instructed the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Rivers State to issue a warning to the contractor, promising to terminate it, if there are no improvements in the tempo of work. The tour of duty also took the Minister to the Bodo-Bonny Road, where he, again, voiced discontent with the level of work achieved. He prodded the Contractor, Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc (JBN) to upscale their deployment of men, materials and machines, despite working throughout the Yuletide holidays. The project, a critical component of the South-South zone’s infrastructure development, is a 2-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island. At all construction sites visited, Engr. Umahi stressed the urgency to meet deadlines, emphasising that all Federal contractors must intensify their efforts to ensure the timely realisation of projects, in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, succinctly captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda. The essence is to improve connectivity, as well as stimulate socio-economic growth, he further explained. The Minister issued clear directives to Federal Controllers of Works to present at least four (4) completed projects, each, for commissioning from February to 20th May, this year. "The expectation is that every Controller delivers on his mandates, according to specifications and time allotted. There is no room for further delays," he declared. In light of the delay in the delivery of some projects, the Minister cautioned that the Ministry is poised to take decisive action. "The Ministry will not tolerate delays. Any contractor, who does not meet his contractual obligations, will face consequences, cumulating into a 14-day Notice of Termination of Contract," he added, emphasizing that such actions would apply to all underperforming contracts. Despite the challenges, he reassured Nigerians that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR remains fully committed to the completion of inherited projects, as well as the four (4) Legacy Projects he initiated. “The President has not abandoned these projects. It is the contractors, who have delayed the work. This year, we will be stricter in ensuring that projects are completed on course,” he assured. Engr. Umahi guaranteed that the Ministry will continue to closely monitor all ongoing projects, ensuring that they align with President Tinubu’s vision for accelerated national growth and development. He concluded by calling for greater teamwork from all stakeholders in the management and delivery of road and bridge projects. "We all need to work together - government, contractors and the general public towards ensuring that deadlines are met. No contractor should collect government funds and fail to deliver on their promises. Henceforth, we will be more observant and take necessary actions towards ensuring the successful completion of these projects," he reasserted. ...

Dec

2024

SEN. UMAHI COMMENDS WORK PROGRESS ON LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY PROJECT, RECOUNTS PROSPECTS OF RENEWED HOPE LEGACY PROJECTS TO NATION'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY. -SAYS, PROJECT REVIEW ON AWARDED SECTIONS OF THE COASTAL HIGHWAY IMMINENT TO FACTOR ADJUSTMENT IN ALIGNMENT AND DELIVERABLES The progress and quality of work being done on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has been commended as a signature of excellence and innovation on road infrastructure development by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. This commendation was made by the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON, when he paid inspection visits to Sections I and II of the project in Lagos being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd on 20th December 2024. Speaking on the deliverables of the investment, the Honourable Minister stated that the contract would be reviewed to accommodate landmark features that would add value to the socio-economic potentials of the project. "We're going to plant trees. And of course, we are going to also have some lay bay. We can decide every five kilometres we have a lay bay where we connect all our CCTV cameras. And then we have vehicles and the security within the cabin there, so that the response time will be like 10 minutes. I'm sure that you've witnessed what we did at Third Mainland Bridge. That's what we intend to replicate in all our highways. And so the entire stretch of 750 kilometers to Calabar will be under CCTV, powered by solar. And then every five kilometers or 10 or 15, as we may agree, we will have portal cabin where we have security posts, no blocking of the roads, we have a viewing centre, and then you view the entire stretch left and right. We will agree on the number of kilometers, depending on the capacity of the cameras." On the imperative of the contract review, he further stated," The service lane was never envisaged, CCTV camera was never envisaged. There was no single item of work, like we're having in all the projects from the removal of topsoil, not to talk of the removal of debris. He praised the vision of Mr. President in initiating legacy projects that would connect the critical economic corridors and boost transportation ecosystem in the 6 Geo- political Zones. He noted that the four Renewed Hope legacy projects and the inherited ongoing projects were on course and that milestone project execution was adopted to ensure a sense of equality among the 6 Geo-Political Zones. He said that some of the sections of the projects being executed nationwide, including the inherited ongoing projects, would be ready for commissioning by May 2025. "Work is progressing on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. We have the Sokoto- Badagry Superhighway. Work is seriously in progress on the project. The first 120 km, work is going on Sokoto. It has been procured. And work is going on by Hitech, using concrete. And then, you have the Kebbi section, 250 km. Work is also going on there. And so, we believe strongly that we'll be able to have about 20 km in both sections to commission by May 29th. In section one of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in South West, we are very sure that we'll commission the first 20 km in section one and 10 km in section two." He commended the intervention of Mr. President in the area of funding of the projects despite his interventions in other critical priority sectors of the economy. "The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure. Don't forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects all have the train track incorporated. The construction of the train track for this section I is going to take off in 2025. So this is what we are doing. And we believe strongly that the President is going to give the nation of Nigeria the road infrastructure that they have been yearning for." Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kashia recounted the experiences encountered at the commencement of the project but expressed confidence in the timely delivery of the project by the contractor handling the project. "We encountered a lot of issues which were not foreseen because they were really covered. Like I said earlier, when you're doing a preliminary design, you cannot do a borehole at every meter. So when you do, at one meter, you do another one at 20 meters. So, in the process of executing the project, we encountered a lot of refuse dumps. It was like this place was like Olushosun, where they dump dirt to the magnitude of about five meters depth in some places. And then the contractor has carted away all that and then replaced it with good soil. That's sand filling from the ocean, as you can see, good sand filling, and then we had to wait a little." Others who spoke during the event were the Acting Director of Highways Road Design, Engr. Saidu Musa and the Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd, Dany Abboud ...

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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Mar

2022

FCE Guzau Joins Beneficiaries Of FG’s Ongoing Road Intervention Scheme

· As Fashola commissions, hands over 1.5 km rehabilitated road to the all-female institution

The Federal College of Education (Technical) Guzau, Zamfara State, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, joined other beneficiaries of the on-going Federal Government Road Intervention Scheme in Federal tertiary institutions across the country as the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, commissioned and handed over a 1.50-kilometre internal road rehabilitated by the Ministry.

The road, which, according to some students and staff of the all-girls institution, was in a very dilapidated condition before the intervention by the Federal Government, constituted a very big challenge to both residents and day students, especially in terms of access to lecture halls and hostels as it is a major link between the halls of residence and lectures as well as administrative blocks.

In his address at the event which attracted top administrators of the institution and other dignitaries, including the Emir of Guzau, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Bello, among others, Fashola reiterated the commitment of the President Muhammad Buhari administration to extend infrastructure provision to tertiary institutions saying the purpose was to improve the education environment of the institutions.

The Minister, who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works in the State, Alhaji Hassan Muhammad Isa, said in addition to improving the quality of education in the institutions, the objective was also in line with the progressive ideal of the Buhari administration to improve human condition, adding that the scheme represented “a critical intervention to support education”.

The Minister told the esteemed audience which also included the Chairman Governing Council of the Institution, Architect Ubokutom Nyah, “It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment.” He added that those in doubt of the assertion should “Simply listen to feedbacks from students in the various institutions that have already benefited from the scheme.”

Pointing out that the Ministry is currently intervening in internal roads in 30 Federal Institutions across the country, Fashola said the Ministry had already successfully intervened in 45 such institutions, 29 of which had been handed over since 2021 while the handing over of another set of 17 completed ones, including the FCE (Technical) Guzau, has commenced.

“Today, we converge at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Guzau, to hand over an important asset, 1.50-kilometre rehabilitated road by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government”, the Minister said, adding that while a lot of work still needed to be done in all sectors of the nation’s economy, including education, the Buhari government has stepped up to lead the process of getting that work done.

He declared with delight,” The gap of our infrastructure need is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewals and constructions on our major highways and it has now reached the schools,” pointing out that the interventions have enhanced the enthusiasm of students with regards to attending classes as some defective roads in the institutions had been restored to good condition.

Pointing out that although the interventions come as civil Works project, they represent an investment in education as well as means of job creation. The Minister added that during the construction of the road, 31 people were employed in the process “contributing to the job creation initiative of the government”, expressing the hope that the benefiting schools would take ownership of the assets and protect them from abuse.

In his address, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Hassan Muhammad Nashiha, commended, the Federal Government for the intervention in the institution describing it as unique in the history of governments in the country. He specially congratulated the Minister “for undertaking the project in a very special way”.

He also commended the Chairman Governing Council of the Institution, who, according to him, has brought so many projects to the institution during his tenure, including renovation of hostels and toilets as well as recreation centre. The Deputy Governor, however pleaded with the Federal Government to build a perimetre fence around the institution considering the state of insecurity in the state.

Also in his goodwill message, the Emir of Gusau, HRM Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Bello, thanked President Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing for carrying out the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the road in the institution saying it had constituted a grave challenge to students. He also pleaded with the government to help put a perimetre fence around the school especially as it is an all-female institution.

As for the students, the event was an occasion to express their joy and gratitude to the Federal Government and particularly the Minister of Works and Housing whom they praised for his consistency and dedication in carrying out the project to conclusion.

From the President of the Institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG, Comrade Mariam Salisu, who studies Home Science to Nwada Oluchi Alago, who studies Home Economics and Fatima Abubakar, a Second Year Primary Education student; through Salihu Hamisu of ICT Department and Promise Julius and her two friends, Yemisi and Justina, who both study Biology and Integrated Science as well as Fatima Mohammad, a physically challenged student in Special Education Department, the intervention was both “God-sent and timely.”

Also present at the occasion were the Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State, The Chief of Staff to the Governor and some top officials of the State Government, deans of faculties and Directors of Departments as well a the executive officers of the Students Union Government and the students body who came in their large numbers to show their gratitude to the Federal Government for the intervention.

SPEECHES

Nov

2021

ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING, BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA SAN AT THE 27TH MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WOKS

PROTOCOL

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the fourth day of this memorable event of the 27th meeting of the National Council on Works (NCW) being held in Bauchi State.

2. Let me first express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, Senator Bala A. Muhammed CON, the Executive Governor and the entire people of Bauchi State for accepting to host the 27th meeting of the National Council on Works (NCW). This has demonstrated the mutual relationship and peaceful coexistence between the Federal and Bauchi State Government. The Bauchi State, "the Pearl of Tourism" is no doubt the treasure of the Nation considering its many beautiful tourist attraction canters across the State.

3. The theme of this year's Council meeting "Infrastructure Delivery, Maintenance Economy and National Prosperity" was carefully selected to alleviate the problems associated with lack of maintenance of infrastructure being provided by the Federal, State and Local Governments which results to huge money and retard the economy growth.

4. Nigeria like other developing Countries is seriously confronted with inadequate resources for establishment of infrastructure which are essential for National Economic Development. Since the Independence, a large chunk of the country's resources has been channelled to infrastructure constructions including roads infrastructure. However, maintenance culture which encompasses provision for adequate care of hard-earned infrastructure is needed to ensure sustainability of these roads’ infrastructure for national prosperity. Experts have posited that if any nation can imbibe the maintenance culture in every sector of the economy, it will reduce cost and ensure national economic growth. Therefore, provision of adequate road infrastructure with a maintenance backup will no doubt help the government in saving more money to achieve National Economic Prosperity.

5. The highly acquired capital infrastructure is not given adequate maintenance to enable it have a longer lifespan needed to support development efforts and thereby deteriorate to the point of starting afresh. Therefore, acquired infrastructure such as constructed road network, bridges, road signage should be properly managed and adequately maintained to ensure durability and enable them live up to their life span of 20 years of road construction.

6. In prioritizing Maintenance culture in the road network with the goal of improving its 195,500 km road network of which about 60,000 km are paved while 135,000 road networks are un-tarred, the Federal Government and the States need to collaborate together along with investments from International
Finance Institutions and Public Private Partnership intervention in order to achieve the desired goal in Infrastructure Delivery, Maintenance Economy and National Prosperity.

7. Therefore, the 27th Council is expected to provide policy frame work that will sustain concerted and consistent culture of maintenance on the infrastructure on ground and also build in maintenance policy in the future road projects to move the country to the next level.

8. Kindly bear in mind that your recommendations will bear far reaching importance in Nation building and it is my prayer that our Highways will become safer and more comfortable for all and the nation's economy will be revamped and sustained.

9. I urge you to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations here today which will not only enhance improvement in the road infrastructure but will also stimulate world standard maintenance culture in the Nigerian road system.

10. Once again, I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Executive Governor and the entire people of Bauchi State for providing necessary provisions to ensure the hitch free of this year's Council meeting.

11. Thank you all and God bless