Federal Ministry of Works

Federal Ministry of Works (FMW)

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Welcome To Federal Ministry Of Works.

Minister Federal Ministry Of Works Engr. David Umahi.

Road Construction Inspection Tour.

Road Inspection.

Road Construction Inspection Tour.

Road Inspection.

Road Construction Inspection Tour.

Sep

2025

LATEST PRESS

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS ADOPTS FUNDING PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK ON NNPCL INHERITED TAX CREDIT PROJECTS NATIONWIDE.
-PROMOTES NIGERIA FIRST POLICY, SAYS CONTRACTS BELOW ₦20 BILLION TO BE DONE BY INDIGENOUS CONTRACTORS.

As part of strategic plans towards sustainability in project funding and execution and in pursuance of the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on strategic and systematic funding of inherited NNPCL funded projects, the Federal Ministry of Works has adopted funding prioritization framework to ensure the continued execution of road projects hitherto funded by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme. The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON made this disclosure during his inspection visit to the ongoing dualization of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction, Port Harcourt to Onne Junction in Rivers State handled by Messrs RCC Nig Ltd dated 9th September 2025.

Speaking during his visit, the Honourable Minister stated that the Federal Ministry of Works had compiled all the NNPCL inherited Tax Credit projects for strategic priority funding, noting that the most critical projects within the national economic corridor would receive precedence in the hierarchy of prioritization. “We are inspecting projects of federal government in Rivers State, and this particular one is the dualization of Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction by RCC. Recall that one carriageway was completed and commissioned, even though there are a few things we ordered afresh like the retaining wall and hanging drainage. For the second carriageway with some bridges and flyovers, work has started on it. Let me say that this is part of the NNPC Tax Credit that has been stopped in terms of funding by NNPC. But graciously, we have compiled all the NNPC inherited Tax Credit projects, and we presented as Ministry of Works to Mr. President. And Mr. President has graciously directed that none of such works should stop now. However, as Ministry, we are going to do prioritization of the projects and look at the most critical of these projects within the national economic corridor like this one. And we are going to put it forward for immediate funding because the President directed that none of such projects should stop now.”

He admonished contractors handling road projects under the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure speed, quality, compliance with specification and sustainability in project delivery and cautioned that the attention of the anti-graft agencies would be called to any case of violation of the regulations or terms and conditions set out under the contract of every project handled by the Federal Ministry of Works. He stated, “I have also noticed in some of the projects in Rivers State, and same with the Six Geo-Political zones, that contractors go ahead to put stone base and put binder course of asphalt, sometimes over 20 kilometres and leave the binder unprotected without putting wearing course. The binder is like a reinforcement to the road architecture. The wearing is the sealant that doesn't allow water to go beyond the surface. And so when you now put stone base, which has dust as designed, and you put binder, which is like a reinforcement, and you see that the composition of the binder asphalt has bigger stones, and it has holes, so the water penetrates. The moment it gets to the stone base, which has some dust, the road fails. It may technically look safe, but with time, it will definitely fail. And we've seen it in a number of roads we inspected. And what I've directed the Controller to do, and it's going to be nationwide, is that when you are putting binder and you have left it for more than two months, we are going to redo the certificate and remove all the binder and remove the stone base.” He directed that henceforth any project below the contract sum of ₦20 Billion would not be given to expatriate firms, and this he said is part of measures to promote the Nigeria First policy of Federal Government of Nigeria.

He commended the construction company handling the Eleme - Onne project, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) for the quality of work so far done and for working on the project despite the fact that NNPCL has stopped funding the project, but frowned at the slow pace of work which they said was affected by the rainy season. He restated that 15th December 2025 remains the agreed deadline for the project’s completion with no extension or Variation of Price (VoP) allowed. “On this project of Eleme Junction, the quality of the work is excellent. The pace of the work is totally not acceptable. And let me make it very, very clear to the contractor that this project can never be reviewed by a kobo. Neither can there be any variation of price or any other claims.” He expressed dismay over the destructive habit of packing heavy duty vehicles on the road by drivers and warned that forthwith punitive measures would be taken against such perpetrators. “Our roads are not designed to carry these heavy trailers that are parking on the road. And the press should help us on that. When I was coming yesterday all the way from Aba to here, I saw that the trailers are taking over the entire roads, putting their waste, destroying the pavements, and so on and so forth. So I'm going to write to our dear Governors to see what they could help us to do about it, and will also complain to the Inspector General of Police. Let us see what we can do about it. Mr. President is doing everything possible to right the wrongs in terms of road construction. We are doing quality roads now that are going to last from 50 to 100 years. But it's being destroyed by ourselves.”

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in River State, Engr. Enwereama Tarilade (Mrs.) said the contractor handling Eleme- Onne road had completed the 15km Eket bound on the right carriageway and had moved to the left carriageway which is Port Harcourt bound for which 1km stretch had already been done on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).

Projects visited by the Honourable Minister include, the rehabilitation of Enugu – Port Harcourt, Abia/Rivers State, contract No: 6252 being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Company Limited (CCECC), the upgrading of the 15km section of the East-West Road (Section 111A) from Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction) to Onne junction in Rivers State, contract No: 701 being handled by Messrs. RCC Nig. Ltd and multiple sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, including the sections handled by Arab Contractors and China Civil Engineering Construction Company Limited (CCECC).

Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji
Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works Works

Apr

2024

ROAD PROJECT DELIVERY UNDER PRESIDENT TINUBU DONE WITH INCREDIBLY LOWEST COST AND GREATEST QUALITY, AND SPEED ...Works Minister Describes The Statement Credited To The Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar On The 700km Coastal Highway As A Gross Misrepresentation Of Facts And Figures, And A Ploy To Mislead Nigerians By Darkening Counsel Without Knowledge The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi, CON has expressed that despite the skyrocketed cost of materials in the construction industry caused by the dynamics of commodity price inflation and supply chain disruptions, the administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has remained unmatched in prudence, cost effectiveness, speedy and quality delivery of road projects. He made this comment during his inspection visit to the on-going rehabilitation of Enugu - Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4 (Aba - Port Harcourt) handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC) on 8th April 2024. The Honourable Minister who also visited the construction of a 23-span flyover bridge project at Eke-Obinagu Junction (NNPC Depot), along Enugu Abakaliki Road, Enugu State handled by Reinforced Global Resources Ltd, the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega fillings station Enugu Capital City, Enugu State handled by CCECC, the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu- Lokpanta handled by CGC, the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2 (Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/ Road) in Abia State, handled by the Arab Contractors and the reconstruction of the dualized 15km section of the East-West road section III: (Eleme Junction- Onne Port in Rivers State being executed on reinforced concrete pavement like the coastal road) handled by RCC, said that the administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to a diversified and sustainable economic future of Nigeria, and this he is doing in the works sector through aggressive infrastructure development that would provide access to trade, tourism, industrialization and safety, especially along the local economic corridors. While reacting to a statement credited to the former Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the 700 km coastal road projects, the Honourable Minister described the analysis he made on the coastal road project figures and the economic importance of the all-important coastal highway project as a gross misrepresentation of facts, and figures and a ploy to mislead Nigerians by darkening counsel without knowledge. "He doesn't understand figures. I am going to run figures for him to understand, and he will understand how prudent the administration of President Tinubu has been. He will understand how prudency is taking the centre stage in this administration. The President has once queried me on the cost of on-going projects nationwide. I had to analyse every basic rate of construction materials to arrive at our unit rates. I showed it to Mr. President. He still thinks I should bring down the cost of projects. At the same time, the contractors are crying that I am oppressing them so much by reviewing the costs of their projects downwards. They lamented that what they were getting before, they are no longer getting it now. They cried out. But when I run the figures, Nigerians will see what this present administration is doing. So, I'm not here to run the figures now. I will do that in a press conference on my visit to Lagos from 10th April 2024 to 12th April 2024.” On the economic importance of the coastal highway, he stated, "I will tell you the economic benefits of the project and how the coastal road is tying the entire country together. It's not tying just South-South and South- West. It is tying the North and South together. We are starting a project from Badagry to Sokoto, and we have a spur on this coastal route to that route and the African Trans Sahara Road that is passing from Enugu to Abakaliki to Ogoja to Cameroon which has a spur to the North". His Excellency, former Vice President Akitu Abubakar, may not know that the third section of the project is starting in Calabar by July 2024. The Honourable Minister commended the pace and quality of work on the projects he visited but harped on the need for the contractors to heed the project delivery timeline. On the progress of work at the East West Road section III, he said, "The reinforcement is very good, the concrete is very good, the speed is not very good, so they have to increase their speed. If RCC doesn't increase their pace, I will take out a portion of this road and give it to another contractor. We will not want contractors to stay on a job like this 15km dualization for two years or more." ...

Apr

2024

PRESIDENT TINUBU PRAISES CONCERTED EFFORTS OF SOUTH-EAST LEADERS IN PEACE BUILDING AND GOVERNANCE 1. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has commended the leaders of South-East for their concerted efforts in harnessing their collective experience, knowledge and relationships to advance developmental ideals, peace building and robust democratic governance in South-East. The President made this commendation during the burial ceremony of late Deaconess (Mrs) Theresa Osinachi Omoke JP, the mother of his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, South East, Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Nweze, CEHF. 2. The President, represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi. FNSE FNATE, GGCEHF, CON, particularly thanked the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, GGCEHF for raising the bar in the peace and security of the State and for deepening the cause of development of the State and all who live in it. He said, "You have taken every challenge of Ebonyi State as the challenge of the people, and you have raised the bar in advancing the People's Charter of Needs of Ebonyi State. The President is very excited about your performances." In his condolence message to the family of the deceased, the President described the late mother of his SSA on Community Engagement as a woman with exemplary virtues who made immeasurable contributions to the advancement of the cause of humanity, and enjoined her and the entire Omoke family to take solace in the accomplishments of her age. "I would like to condole with you and the entire Omoke family on the death of your beloved mother, an icon and the matriarch of your family who sadly passed away on 18th of December, 2023 at the age of 75". 3. The Honourable Minister of Works used the opportunity to clear the air on misrepresentations on media platforms over the government that handled the much commended rehabilitation of Third Mainland Bridge Lagos, which is now opened for road users. "The Third Mainland Bridge was not done by Lagos State Government. No, it was done by the Federal Government as directed by President Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Everything about the funding was entirely done by Mr. President through his Minister of Works." He also used the opportunity to thank the leaders and people of South East for their support to the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President. He said, "I want to send a message of thanks from Mr. President to the people of South East, for their support; I want to thank the Governors and appreciate them for their support, which is beyond party lines." He revealed, "In a very short moment, leaders of South East will come together to openly, publicly, and heartily appreciate Mr. President, and let Nigerians and the world know that we stand with the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President. 4. In his address during the event, the Governor of Ebonyi State thanked Mr. President for his fatherly disposition to all the States of the federation and his inclusive governance, which has renewed the hope of Nigerians in actualizing positive trajectories in the political and socio- economic history of the nation. He offered his deep condolences to the deceased family and his compassions to the cause of the family and community who would deeply miss her love and charity. While praying for the repose of her soul, he expressed commitment towards immortalizing the good name she bequeathed. He said, "As government, we must do a very significant thing today. The State Government will build a befitting pavilion in this field, and that pavilion will be named after the late mother of Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Nweze. The road leading to this field will be constructed as a mark of honour to late Deaconess (Mrs) Theresa Osinachi Omoke JP" ...

Apr

2024

Lagos 3RD Mainland Bridge Reopens Today The Lagos 3RD Mainland Bridge is to reopen to traffic today in the coming hours. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator David Nweze Umahi in a phone call in the early hours of today,directed the Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr Mrs O.I.Kesha to open the Bridge to traffic inorder to ease the stress which motorist have been subjected to, during the period of the first phase of Rehabilitation works on the Bridge Speaking to journalists soon after the directive, the Minister of Works said, the successful completion of the first phase of the Rehabilitation works which was started and completed by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration is a clear Indication that President Tinubu is working . Senator Umahi called on all Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President ,maintaining however, that nothing good comes so easy. The Minister revealed that work has already begun on the underwater damage to the bridge, which is the second phase of the Rehabilitation works on the bridge. Similarly, the Minister said, Rehabilitation works will commence on the Carter bridge in the coming weeks, adding that the contractor has already been mobilised. ...

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Jul

2024

OTHER NEWS

Dec

2021

FG ORDERS EVACUATION OF TRUCKS, TRAILERS FROM ABUJA-KADUNA-KANO HIGHWAY

…To provide temporary parks along the corridor

…Gives order to all trucks to leave by the end of the year

The Federal Government has constituted a Presidential Inter-Agency Committee for Evacuation of Trucks and Trailers along the Right of Way of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway to ease vehicular movement and reduce damage on the shoulders of the highway before the end of the year.

The Director of Highway Construction and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing who is also the Chairman of the Committee, Engr. Folorunsho Esan disclosed this during an inspection tour of the road.

Engr. Esan, said the ministry would provide a temporary park at Tafa, along Kaduna road, where the vehicles can park adding that the park would accommodate about 500 trucks when fully operationalized thereby helping to address the problems of road access and insecurity in the area.

According to him, “The Committee was set up by the Minister of Works and Housing, H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN with directives from Mr. President for trucks to be evacuated from the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road so that the contractors can take full possession to enable a hitch free work on the road,” he said.

He added that the purpose of the inspection was to assess areas where the trucks could be relocated to away from the Right of Way. “Also, road users can have free passage without bottlenecks. So we are here to inspect facilities that are available where trucks can now be moved to,” he explained.

Continuing, the Chairman said that Tafa axis of the road was more troublesome, but added that there was provision where the trucks would be moved to. “One of the very pronounced bottleneck is in Tafa and fortunately enough, we have an empty land acquired by Federal Road Maintenance Agency although they have not been able to do anything on it.

“But we are thinking of moving the trucks from Tafa to that plot of land after some ground improvements on the land for trailers to be able to stay without sinking,” he said.

On collaboration, he said various unions like the Tanker Drivers NARTO, NURTW, and others are in support of government to move their trucks from the road anytime the trailers park is ready along that axis.

On the collaboration with other stakeholders on moving away from the road, the representative of Petroleum Tankers Association, Comrade. Abdullahi Haruna said that the tankers drivers were ready to move immediately alternative parking space was provided. “We, the petrol tanker drivers are ready to work with the committee to evacuate trucks from the road, ‘he said.

Haruna said that there was the need to make the park conducive for the users through the provision of basic facilities like borehole, toilets and canteens.

He said, “What we are appealing for is that the palliative or temporary work should be done well. If it is good, there would be no need of planning for a permanent park, we will use this one.”

Reiterating the collaboration on moving away from the road, the District Head of Jere, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman said that he was happy about the development and assured the committee that he would mobilize and make sure that the trucks leave the shoulders of the highway when the park is ready.

“We will give the ministry and concerned stakeholders necessary support that would lead to the permanent evacuation of trucks and trailers from the road,” he assured committee.

Other members of the committee include: The Federal Roads Safety Commission, the Nigerian Army among others.

SPEECHES

Dec

2020

Keynote Address Of The Hon. Minister of Works And Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, San, At The 26th Meeting Of The National Council On Works With The Theme, “Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation And National Economic Growth”

On behalf of the Federal Government, I convey the appreciation of the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Government of Rivers State and Governor Nyesom Wike, for Hosting this 2020 edition of National Council on Works.

The commitment to host this was made last year when the Cross River State hosted the 2019 edition and when nobody foresaw the outbreak of a devastating viral pandemic called COVID-19.

The impact of the disease on livelihoods and the global economy has led countries across the world into different stages of negative economic growth and recession.

The need to address the economic challenges has prompted countries and Governments to design and implement various measures and policies to keep their economies going and to reflate them.

The Muhammadu Buhari Administration developed and has started implementing an Economic Sustainability Plan, that incorporates and challenges Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ramp up activities, inspite of COVID-19; in order to provide work, increase opportunities and sustain productivity.

The Ministry of Works and Housing, as a critical infrastructure provider of the Federal Government, is one of the focal MDAs assigned with responsibilities for sustaining and expanding the economy during and beyond the COVID period.

This in part explains the theme of this year’s Council which is, “Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth”.

While the public looks forward mainly to the quality of the Highway pavement, the Government sees a larger economic impact of infrastructure and the way it helps to legitimately distribute wealth to the people at the bottom of the pyramid.

Road construction employs a large number of the urban poor, skilled and unskilled labour and vendors who depend on daily or weekly wages.

The lockdown period was a difficult period for them and it was not surprising that as soon as lockdown eased, the Agriculture Sector and Road Construction were the first to resume work.

Eleven (11) of the biggest contractors of the Federal Government were allowed to return to work in May 2020 in 26 states.

This was closely followed by the resumption of maintenance works in 92 different locations across 24 states by FERMA.

The Government then decided to increase the scope for local content, labour and materials by:

a) Advocating for the increased use of cement, stone and concrete which are all locally available

b) Advocating for the local production of Bitumen since we have large deposits of the raw material.

I am delighted to inform you that many of these policies are at different stages of implementation with consequences on the economy.

With safety guidelines for Social Distancing, face mask and sanitation issued to construction companies, construction work has resumed almost full time across the country even though the virus is still with us.

Although the Third Quarter GDP result is still negative at -3.62%, it shows growth in the following sectors:

a) Quarrying and other minerals production   41.81%
b) Cement manufacturing                               11.96%
c) Construction                                                  2.64%

With the sustenance of construction activities, a strong contribution will be seen on the road to economic recovery.

Regarding the need to use more cement, more stone and concrete, the Ministry had to produce a design manual for Rigid Pavement in consultation with all the stakeholders in the industry.

I am happy to Report that the Sub-Committee led by the Honourable Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, and the Director of Bridges and Design, Engr. Emmanuel Adeoye, have produced the first Rigid Pavement Manual for Nigerian Roads.

There could be no better place to unveil it than at the National Council for Works, where all State Governments and other stakeholders are present.

This should also form the basis for implementing the Government policy for more labour-intensive Road Construction to stimulate employment drive, and more use of locally available materials of stone, cement and concrete for improved economic productivity.

It is impossible to discuss roads and economic development without discussing:

a) capital appreciation of 30-40% that infrastructure provision adds to the value of land;

b) the supply chain of food, lubricants, construction materials like laterite, cement, Reinforcement (steel), Water, Energy (Diesel) that is positively affected by infrastructure;

c) the sub-specialities of subcontractors such as Lane Marking, Highway Signage and Electrical fittings,

all of which benefit from the Construction of a Road.

I am aware that all the States are executing one infrastructure project or the other and this is how it must be. I was in Rivers State recently to commission a Bridge project undertaken by the State Government.

Our collective National Spending on infrastructure will contribute in no small way to our recovery from recession, but also propel inclusive and beneficial growth.

Examples abound of the positive impact of the investment in infrastructure through a value chain of inclusive wealth distribution that is immediately activated when one of our construction sites utilises 5,000 trucks of laterites at N30,000 per truck.

Such a value chain would include the owner of the quarries, the operators in the quarries, the truck owners and truck drivers, among several others.

When one of our contractors also recently paid N500 million to his diesel suppliers, another inclusive wealth distribution value chain got activated or sustained.

In closing this speech permit me to highlight the challenges we still encounter in some states and communities with respect to claims for compensation, which hinder our contractors’ ability to work.

Challenges in the area of compensation require further collaboration and for States to play a lead role.

The need for an interactive forum between State Commissioners and Federal Ministry of Works, which will occur more frequently than the annual Council, as recently suggested by the Honourable Commissioner for Works from Kwara State will also hopefully be considered at this Meeting.

I thank you all for your attention.