Federal Ministry of Works

Jul

2026

LATEST PRESS

TINUBU FLAGS OFF STRATEGIC NORTH-EAST ROAD PROJECTS TO ENHANCE SECURITY, TRADE, AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has officially flagged off the rehabilitation of the Bama – Banki and the Dikwa – Gamboru Ngala Roads, describing them as strategic investments to restore critical infrastructure, enhance security, and drive economic growth in the North-East. Represented at the ceremony by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, the President said the projects reflect his administration's campaign promise to rebuild vital infrastructure that will improve connectivity, strengthen regional integration, and promote sustainable development. The two contracts are awarded to Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd. under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, while the subcontractor is Dantata & Sawoe (Nig.) Limited.

President Tinubu noted that the strategic road corridors would improve access to neighbouring Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, creating new opportunities for trans-Saharan trade and expanding cross-border commerce. He stressed that the projects would not only facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services but also improve security and support the socio-economic recovery of communities affected by insurgency. He called on all stakeholders to work closely with the people of the North East to ensure the successful execution of the projects, while assuring Nigerians that his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and national development.

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the commencement of the projects as another pointer to the Federal Government's infrastructure renewal drive. He explained that the roads are part of the administration's four legacy infrastructure projects, spread across the six geopolitical zones, and are designed to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, facilitate trade, and strengthen economic integration with neighbouring countries.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., highlighted the enormous economic, security, healthcare, and tourism benefits of the projects. According to him, the roads are more than transportation infrastructure; they are strategic investments that will promote regional integration, improve livelihoods, and enhance the quality of life of the people. He commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming Nigeria through sustained infrastructure development.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, applauded the strong collaboration between the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Works. They described the projects as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government's commitment to inclusive infrastructure development and pledged the continued legislative support of the National Assembly towards their successful completion.

President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, described the Federal Government's Tax Credit Scheme as a transformative initiative for financing critical infrastructure. He disclosed that the Dangote Group is currently executing 12 road projects valued at about ₦3 trillion under the scheme and reaffirmed the company's readiness to undertake additional projects in support of national development. He noted that quality roads and bridges stimulate economic activities, attract investment, and promote national prosperity. Dangote also commended the leadership of the Minister, describing him as "a conqueror" for his dedication and outstanding commitment to infrastructure delivery.

The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, described the projects as strategically important to the economic recovery and security of the North East. He said the roads would strengthen commercial and social ties with Cameroon and the Chad Republics, while improving peace, security, and economic activities across the region. Governor Zulum expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for Borno State and the entire Zone.

Speaking on behalf of the Borno State Council of Traditional Rulers, comprising the Emirates of Borno, Biu, Dikwa, and Gwoza, the Chairman of the Council, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, represented by the Shehu of Dikwa, welcomed the initiative. He expressed confidence that the projects would deliver lasting socio-economic benefits to the affected communities and assured the Federal Government of the traditional institution's full support throughout the implementation process.

The flag-off of the Bama–Banki and Dikwa–Gamboru Ngala Roads’ rehabilitation projects underscores the Administration's commitment to renewing critical infrastructure, strengthening national security, expanding regional trade, and accelerating economic transformation. Upon completion, the roads are expected to improve mobility, facilitate cross-border commerce, attract investment, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity across the North East and Nigeria as a whole.

Jan

2025

DISCOUNTENANCE THE BASELESS RUMOUR THAT THE 3RD MAINLAND BRIDGE IS JERKY AND DEFECTIVE AS A DECEPTIVE PROPAGANDA FROM THE FIFTH COLUMNISTS The attention of the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been drawn to a widely circulated but baselessly and maliciously orchestrated rumour that the 3rd Mainland bridge is shaky and defective. The rumour, for all intents and purposes, is nothing but an untactful falsehood by the fifth columnists whose mission is to undermine the confidence and solidarity reposed on the works sector of the Renewed Hope administration by Nigerians. The Honourable Minister of Works had upon getting wind of this needless rumour and, for the benefit of the doubt, deployed a team of engineers led by the Federal Controller of Works in charge of Lagos State, Engr. Olukorede Kesha to inspect the entire length and width of the bridge measuring 11 kilometers with a view to ascertaining if by the whiskers anything went amiss with the 3rd Mainland bridge. The report is the same; that the bridge is hale and hearty, and its integrity is undoubtedly intact Members of the public are therefore enjoined to disregard the false rumours making the rounds on the state of the 3rd Mainland bridge. The Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the revampment of the inherited road infrastructural deficiencies. The 3rd Mainland bridge, including other iconic bridges in Lagos, has received priority intervention by Mr. President knowing their vitality to the road communications and transportation ecosystem in Lagos and beyond. That is why the superstructure, the substructure, and other underwater elements of the 3rd Mainland bridge are receiving profound repairs by the Renewed Hope administration. The Federal Ministry of Works is up to task and speed in changing the narratives in the road infrastructure development in Nigeria. The code is quality, speed, and value for money, and you can be sure that the roads done by the Renewed Hope administration can stand the test of time. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ...

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. ...

LIVE ACTIVITY FEED

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Sep

2021

Road Blockade: FG Appeals to Truck Drivers for Understanding on Bida -Lambata Ongoing Work

The Federal Government has appealed for understanding of truck drivers on the ongoing construction work on Bida-Lambata road, saying that government is committed to deliver a quality work that will stand the test of time for the benefit of the users.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini made this appeal over the weekend.

Hussaini was reacting to the blockade of a section of the Bida -Lambata and Suleja - Minna roads by some articulated trucks drivers in Niger State, protesting that government should expedite action to complete the ongoing construction to ease their difficulties in using the roads.

" I am appealing to the truck drivers for understanding of the efforts of the Federal government in fixing this road. This Bida-Lambata road is among the many other ongoing projects across the nation which the government prioritised to deliver," he said.

Hussaini also noted that the rehabilitation work has not reached the sections that collapsed but the Contractor has been directed to do palliative work on all such sections while the contruction progress as scheduled.

He however lamented that the contractor has been denied access to the road due to blockade by the tanker drivers.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari gives premium to providing road infrastructure across the country as a way of improving the social and economic well-being of the people.

He assured the truck drivers that the Federal Government through the Federal Controller of Works in Niger State is working round the clock with the contractors on site to ensure not only timely completion but to deliver a qualitative road that would stand the test of time.

SPEECHES

Nov

2019

DPRS Council of Works Remarks

Introductory Remarks by The Director Planning Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Dr. Famous S. Eseduwo at the On-going 25th Meeting of The National Council on Works at Calabar on Monday, 25th November, 2019.

PROTOCOL

I am delighted, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, to welcome you to the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works with the theme: “INFRASTRUCTURE AS THE PARHWAY FOR PROSPERITY”, holding here in Calabar, Cross River State from today, Monday 25th to Thursday 29th November, 2019.

2. I wish to express our profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the Honourable Minister of State Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu FNSE, the Permanent Secretary Mohammed Bukar, the Directors and entire staff of the Ministry for their support in organizing this meeting.

3. As you are aware, the Meeting of the National Council of Works is an annual event and the highest policy formulating organ of the Works sector where stakeholders in the Works sector deliberate on issues concerning the Sector.

4. It is important to highlight that the council meeting is signaled by a two day technical meeting of Directors and the Permanent Secretaries Meeting. Our responsibility is to create a solid and resourceful foundation by diligently reviewing the memoranda submitted and fine-turning the recommendations for presentation to Council through the Meeting of Permanent Secretaries.

5. I urge all Directors present to own up to the process and show the right attitude and commitment towards heralding a successful Council Meeting.

6. At this juncture, I will like to assure you that all necessary arrangements have been put in place by the Ministerial Organizing Committee (MOC) and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensure the success of this year’s Council Meeting. The secretariat is available for any possible assistance.

7. Once again, I welcome you to the 2-day brainstorming session preceding this year’s National Council Meeting on Works and also wish you all a fruitful deliberation.
Thank you.