Federal Ministry of Works

Nov

2025

LATEST PRESS

FG Decries Road Vandalism, Reaffirms Commitment to Record Completion of Abuja-Kano Expressway

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of vandalism and misuse of newly constructed and ongoing road projects across the country, warning that such irresponsible acts threaten the lifespan and safety of critical national infrastructure.

Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., issued the warning on Saturday, 8th November 2025, during a holistic inspection visit to the Outstanding Sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway project, where he condemned the destructive activities of some hoodlums along the completed and active sections of the road.

The Minister, in particular, decried instances of individuals removing safety railings, damaging concrete pavements, or converting portions of the highway into refuse dumps and drying grounds—especially around the Jaji Bridge corridor in Kaduna State.

“Maintenance begins with discipline and public responsibility,” Goronyo stated. “We have observed people cutting through newly completed road sections or tampering with vital components. These acts of vandalism must stop immediately,” he warned.

In this vein, he urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to take collective ownership of public infrastructure and ensure that such national assets are protected from misuse, adding that the government’s huge investments in road development must be safeguarded for future generations.

“The Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committing enormous resources to the building of durable roads across the country. Every act of vandalism or road abuse undermines national progress and the deployment of taxpayers’ money to other critical national priorities,” the Minister emphasised.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve to complete the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway within record time, Goronyo described the project as a flagship of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to enhance trade, promote unity, and strengthen economic integration between the Northern and Southern regions of the country.

He disclosed that the Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) of the project, spanning 144 kilometres, is progressing steadily across several active sections - from Tungan Maje and Jere to Katari, Kakau, Gonigora, and Agogo Junction—with significant work already completed in drainage, reinforcement, and the construction of the shoulders.

“So far, about 26 kilometres of continuous rigid concrete pavement and 15 kilometres of binder and wearing course have been completed,” the Minister revealed. “The President has made it clear that funding will not be a constraint. It is now a matter of work and getting paid,” he informed the contractor, Messrs. Infiouest International Limited.

In line with the President’s directive for durable infrastructure, the Acting Director, Highways, Bridges and Design at the Ministry, Engr. Musa Sa’idu explained that the project design was upgraded from flexible (asphalt) to rigid (concrete) pavement, capable of lasting for about a century and withstanding the stress of heavy-duty and overloaded vehicles.

He further disclosed that a recycling approach is being used to strengthen the substructure, by mixing milled asphalt with stone base and cement to improve durability and minimize environmental impact.

Mr. Robert Turner, Senior Project Manager of the company, reaffirmed their commitment to engineering excellence and set a target, adding that work is progressing seven days a week, with plans to introduce night shifts to accelerate completion.
“We are determined to deliver this project ahead of schedule. The government has demonstrated exceptional consistency in funding, and we are matching that commitment with performance,” Turner assured.

Concluding the inspection tour at the additional location of the Kano end of the alignment, the Minister reiterated that the Abuja–Kano Expressway remains one of the most strategic road corridors in the nation, symbolising Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural renewal, national security, and economic prosperity.

“This project is dear to the President’s heart. It is not just a road - it is a lifeline for trade, social and political integration, as well as national unity. Every Nigerian must play a part in protecting it,” Goronyo declared.

Earlier at the end of Section II (Kaduna-Zaria), which has been completed and handed over by the previous contractor, the
Minister detoured to inspect another ongoing construction work on the Unguwar Iliya-Bagudu-Kwantakaran-Tsiga-Bakori Road with Kadabo Bridge in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, which has an approximate length of 17.3 kilometres, starting from Tsiga Town and passing through the Barde community. The scope of work includes the construction of a single carriageway and three reinforced concrete bridges.

Briefing the Minister on the Project, the Federal Controller/Engineers’ Representative, Engr. Muhammad I. Matinja and the Project Manager for Messrs. Halis Matrix Limited, Engr. David Omotosho expressed optimism about the progress of work, assuring that it will be completed on time and according to its design.

**Mohammed A Ahmed, **
Director Press and Public Relations.
9th November 2025.

Mar

2020

FUTA VC Applauds FG For Rehabilitation Of Internal Roads Intervention The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State, Prof. Joseph Adeola Fuwape has applauded the Federal Government for the initiative of intervention in the internal roads construction in the institution. The VC made the commendation while officially taking over 1.80 kilometers internal roads rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He appreciated the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and the entire Ministry for the internal roads intervention project at the institution. Prof. Fuwape solicited for the Honourable Minster, for the engagement of the students of Civil and Engineering Department of the institution in the Ministry's highway and housing projects in the state for practical experiences, adding that such partnership would help the students acquire the nitty gritty of roads and housing construction before graduation He however pleaded that more internal roads of the institution should be included in the second intervention phase of the project to increase it to 2.8 kilometer from the present one. He said," We are excited about this, we want more like Oliver Twist." In his remarks at the handing over ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Acting Controller of Works Ondo State, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Olajide Hussein said that the gap of Nigeria's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools. Mr. Fashola said that the internal road project at the Federal University of Technology Akure is an investment in education by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The Deputy Vice President of the Federal University of Technology Akure Students Union, Caroline Felix said that she was impressed by the internal road intervention project at the institution, adding that with this development, students would be able to attend lectures with ease. ...

Feb

2020

VC Commends Fashola For Internal Road Intervention Project In University The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Professor Andrew Haruna has commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SANfor the internal road intervention project he executed in his University. The highly excited Vice Chancellor said, " I am excited, excitement is the summary here. In fact any other adjective I use now will water down my joy." The Minister was represented at the handover ceremony by the Federal Controller of Works Yobe State, Engr. Akinmade Babalola. Fashola, in his address at the handover ceremony, said, "Thee gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools." Fashola said that the quality of education would no doubt be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment, pointing out that the feedback from students in the institutions that benefited from such intervention attested to that, "The intervention by Federal Government will improve the ambience and environment of Federal Tertiary Institutions to enhance academic activities,"he said. Federal University Gashua is among the 18 Federal Tertiary Institutions that benefited from the Federal Government Road Intervention Project executed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under phase I and ll. Professor Haruna also said, "If one must say the truth, without any embellishment, one can say, if all agencies of the Government will take the steps taken by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in investing a little here and a little there, this University will, within the next few years, have it's share of massive infrastructural development. It is for this reason that I stand here to appreciate the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for their initiative and intervention." Accordingly, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the kind gesture of the Federal Government for the concern and committment shown to towards the development of the citadel of learning under the prevailing austere times in the country. Representative of the Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Mahammad Haruna, who is also the Financial Secretary Zone C of the Union, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN for such projects in tertiary institutions. Comrade Haruna said, the projects are not only dear to the Federal University of Gashua but to the entire national body of students union because of the positive impacts they would have on education in the country. The completed internal road project in the Federal University of Gashua comprised of rehabilitation and asphalt overlay, construction of reinforced concrete drainage and patching of potholes of 300 meters. So far eighteen (18) out of the forty-three (43) road intervention projects procured under phase I (2017) and phase ii (2018) appropriations had been completed across tertiary institutions nationwide. ...

Feb

2020

Fashola Assures AFRIGIST of His Support The Honourable Minister for works and Housing Babatunde Ragi Fashola has assured the Africa Regional Institute for Geospatial Information, Science and Technology, (AFRIGIST) of his support to solve some of the challenges confronting it. The Minister gave the assurance while receiving the management of the institute who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. Fashola noted that the statutory activities of AFRIGIST were pivotal to unlocking the potential of member countries and Africa in general. He said, “ I cannot overemphasize the importance of this agency especially in regards to the recent adoption of the free trade agreement among the African countries”. Fashola further said, “Africa Regional Institute for Geospatial Information, Science and Technology has become too critical for the engagement of the future for human civilization”. The Minister who said the world was increasingly becoming information dependent, emphasized the relevance of the agency to the growth of trade, health care, defense and aviation. Fashola directed the Surveyor General of the Federation Surveyor Taiwo Samuel, who led the delegation on the visit to make appropriate recommendation to the Ministry for its intervention. Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of the Institute, Dr. Adewale Akingbade disclosed that the Institute which was established in 1972 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA), had eight members such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameron, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, the host country. The Director who praised the Nigerian government for promptly paying its dues said the Institute had supported the county in providing training for defence intelligence such as the Nigerian Customs, Immigration and police. Dr. Akingbade sought the assistance of the Honourable Minister in championing the conference of the Ministerial Committee of the agency. In attendance were the Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu and some Directors of the Ministry ...