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.

Jun

2024

FEDERAL MINSTRY OF WORKS ADOPTS MORE WORKEABLE MEASURES TO END DELAYS OF CONTRACTORS IN PROJECT DELIVERY, EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY, INNOVATIONS AND THINKING OUT OF THE BOX TO MEET THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF NIGERIANS As part of strategic infrastructure development masterplan of the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Federal Government has adopted workeable measures to end the old order of unnecessary delays in the execution of road infrastructure projects by contractors and has taken steps to rejig the monstrous contract price variation clause which has been a major clog in the wheel of progress of project execution over the years. This was contained in the briefing of the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON, during a meeting with contractors handling Federal Government's projects, held at the Ministry's Headquarters, Mabushi-Abuja on 10th June 2024. The Honourable Minister expressed the urgency of thinking realistically, creatively, innovatively, and thinking out of the square to overcome the funding challenges that face road infrastructure development in Nigeria. He narrated, " When the Renewed Hope administration came on board on 29th May 2023, Mr. President inherited over 2600 ongoing projects from the past administration amounting to over N15 trillion, out of which only about N2 trillion was certified and paid. And so we now have ongoing projects of N13 trillion, including budgetary projects, NNPCL, SUKUK, Presidential Initiative Development Projects, other Tax Credit Scheme Projects of NLNG, MTN, Dangote, BUA, Mainstream and projects under EPC +F, PPP" He stated that the aftermaths of fuel subsidy and the forex forces affected drastically the contract cost elements and pricing of which Variation on Price( VOP) could not provide a remedy especially for jobs awarded so many years ago, and where VOP on contracts was sometimes hitting 500%. He further stated that in looking for a solution, the Ministry sought for and got Mr. President's approval to give an envelope in the 2024 budgetary provision to keep all the inherited projects alive, believing that more funding of such projects could come by thinking outside the box. The new projects under the 2024 projects, including the constituency projects of the National Assembly, also have poor budgetary allocations. In tackling responsibly the challenges of funding, price variation, and delays in projects delivery, the Honourable Minister introduced responsive approaches which were adopted as the Ministry's measures to overcome the challenges of road infrastructure development in Nigeria. Such measures include but are not limited to reviewing the VOP clause to ensure workability in line with the economic realities, making it a policy that all contractors handling two carriageway projects (with the exemption of the 3 legacy projects) must first complete one side of the two carriageways and thereafter continue with the second part subject to availability of fund, advancement of funds after award of contract is subject to conditions contained in the bid document, going forward. Other measures adopted were that contractors must have a timeline for project delivery, and every contractor shall have a duty to maintain the road under construction until the entire project is completed and delivered. A deadline shall be given for all ongoing projects, and with time, all projects that have no funding shall be stood down, but projects will be selected Zone by zone or State by State for funding. In applying these measures, he emphasized that all contractors will be treated equally. "One thing that is our policy is that no contractor in the Ministry of Works will be treated differently. Whether you're an indigenous contractor or you're a foreign contractor, insofar as you can turn cement to the right grade and place it rightly. You're a good contractor; we check, and it's good." The Honourable Minister noted the various projects completed by contractors and other major ones to be ready for commissioning from July, 2024 and directed the Directors in charge of each Geo-Political Zone to officially and publicly commission the various projects completed in their respective Zones. He further directed that committees made up of the Ministry's Engineers and the Media correspondents be set up to pay inspection visits to the respective zones to assess the level of project performance in all the federal government projects being handled by the Federal Ministry of Works under the Renewed Hope administration. ...

May

2024

RENEWED HOPE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTED TO COMPLETING THE ABUJA-KADUNA- KASTINA-KANO FEDERAL HIGHWAY, COMMENCES DESIGN OF SOKOTO -BADAGRY ROAD The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Dr. Nweze David Umahi CON has reiterated the commitment of Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to completing the Abuja- Kaduna-Katsina- Kano Federal Highway within a record time. He stated this during a courtesy visit of the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani to his office, Mabushi-Abuja, on 7th May 2024. Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister said he had the directive of Mr. President to present a programme that could see to the completion of the project within the next one year. He assured the Governor that the project, which was inherited from the past administration, would be started in three sections as soon as possible. He said, "We are going to have the first section of 38 kilometers by 2, (which is 76 kilometers,) done by Dangote Group of Companies on Tax Credit and it's going to use concrete to do it. We will allow the next 82 kilometers for Julius Berger to handle. And then the last 20 kilometers by 2, (which is 40 kilometers) for BUA to handle and to also use concrete to do that. And I can assure you that the job will start in these three sections within this month of May." The Honourable Minister commended the Governor for the peace and development being witnessed in Kaduna State under his administration despite inherent challenges. "I want to commend you very highly. In spite of the challenges you have in your State, you have started extremely very well. And God will be with you. God will provide the means because you mean well for the nation, for your people in Kaduna State and in fact, for everyone who is living in Kaduna State. I want to commend you. I commend you for the peace of the State, the unity of the State and the oneness of the State, irrespective of religion "He further stated that the President's directive on designing 1000 kilometers Sokoto- Badagry Highway was being handled with dispatch by the Federal Ministry of Works, noting that the project would cover the old African trade route of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos States, connecting to Badagry. He also stated that a proposal was being made to link the South East to the North through the Trans Sahara Highway that would have a spur passing through Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and end in Abuja. On his part, the Governor of Kaduna State extolled the vision and will of the President of Nigeria in revolutionizing road infrastructure, which is a catalyst for the socio- economic development of the nation, and the commitment of the Honourable Minister of Works which has changed the narrative in the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria. He said," I have to commend him for his effort. Since his assumption to office, he has made us proud, because he has done extremely well, and because he has been able to follow the blueprint of our President, who has promised everyone when he was elected, that he would take development to every part of Nigeria, irrespective of those that elected him or not. And of course, that is the agenda, that is the Renewed Hope. Today, we are proud to say that development is reaching everywhere in Nigeria." He commended the President's initiative to construct Lagos-Calabar road and the Sokoto-Badagry road, noting that the projects would enhance the socio-economic potential of the country when completed. He emphasized the importance of Federal Government's intervention on the Eastern Bypass in Kaduna State, the Mando-Benigwari road connecting the North-West. He said that the road was of prime importance for agricultural programmes in the North. "And for all of us in Northern Nigeria, you will agree with me that farming is very important. And what we really want is creating opportunities for people that are in the rural areas. That will certainly help, particularly our farmers, linking our farms with markets. Our people believe in this infrastructure to support our farmers. ...

May

2024

GOVERNOR UBA SANI COMMENDS WORKS MINISTER OVER INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, URGES COMPLETION OF KEY PROJECTS. Kaduna state Governor Senator Uba Sani, has commended the Honourable Minister of Works His Excellency Engr. Dr. David Umahi over his efforts on Infrastructural development across the Country. The Governor made this remark during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works in his office in Abuja. Sani praised the progress being made on various road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Sokoto-Badagry Road, and Kaduna- Zamfara –Sokoto as well as the Zaria to Kaduna, Makurdi-Enugu Road amongst others. The Senator the described the Abuja –Kaduna road to link to four (4) states with enormous benefit to cities and rural communities. He also urged the Minister to complete the Eastern bypass in Kaduna and the Mando – Birnin- Gwari Road, which was promised by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his campaign visit to Kaduna. Senator Sani commended the Minister for separating the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project, which will now be constructed by Dangote, BUA, and Julius Berger through the Tax Credit Scheme. He expressed his excitement over the project's completion within the next one year as directed by President Tinubu. In his remarks, the Honourable Minister assured Senator Sani that the projects will be completed as scheduled and thanked him for his support and encouragement. He also commended Senator Sani for his leadership role in bringing everyone together irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations and commitment to the development of Kaduna State and the nation at large. The meeting reinforced the Federal Government's commitment to Infrastructural development and its determination to leave a lasting legacy in Nigeria's path to development. ...

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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Nov

2021

REMARKS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING, MR BABATUNDE FASHOLA, SAN, AT THE PROJECT COMPLETION AND HAND OVER FLAG OFF ON THURSDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2021 AT KOKO/BESSE LGA, KEBBI STATE

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari, I bring good tidings to the peoples and Governments of Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger States, who will be impacted by the Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road that our President will hand over today.

My principal message to you all is that this is the first of many more project Completion and Handovers our country will experience in the next few weeks and months as we enter what l call a season of completion and impact.

In this phase of completion Mr. President has approved that Ministers from the various States where projects have been completed should represent him to perform the handover formalities.

The other handing over formalities that will follow these formalities which we flag off today in Kebbi will be in:

a) Jigawa for Section II covering 142.2 x 2 (dual) Kilometers between Shuwarin and Azare, connecting Jigawa and Bauchi States.

b) Bauchi for Section III covering 106.3 x 2 Kilometers between Azare and Potiskum , connecting Bauchi and Yobe States.

c) Benue for Vandeikya-Obudu Cattleranch Road covering 24 Kilometers connecting Benue and Cross River States.

d) Ebonyi for Nnewe- Uduma- Uburu Road covering 26.27 Kilometers with 14 Kilometers spur to Ishiagu connecting Enugu and Ebonyi States.

These projects represent major investment in road Transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of the Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.

They are visible and incontrovertible Assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in, from a combination of our earned resources, and borrowings.

This occasion affords another opportunity to acknowledge the impact of the Sukuk funding in the completion of Azare – Potiskum, Shuwarin – Potiskum and Sokoto-Tambuwal- Kontagora Roads.

The Sukuk is currently contributing to progress of work on 44 roads across Nigeria and as we complete them, events like this will hold.

I want to express gratitude of our Government to the investors in the Sukuk and thank the Ministry of Finance, and the members of the National Assembly, especially the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works in the 8th and 9th Assembly for their support.

Our gratitude to the Debt Management Office is deep and continuing for their role in previous SUKUKS which have been most innovative and impactful nationwide, and for the Sukuk we are expecting.

To our staff and contractors who have worked very hard to bring these projects to conclusion I also say thank you, as I cannot fail to acknowledge the cooperation of the host communities where these projects pass through or are hosted.

I hold them out as examples of what peace can achieve, and the investments that collaboration and some sacrifice can deliver if we embrace partnership with Government.

Ladies and Gentlemen, none of these would have been possible without the support of Ministers in the Federal Executive Council during debates over the projects.

To all Ministers in the first term and this current term, I express gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Works and Housing for your support.

To the President and Vice President who preside for long hours over the Council meetings, your leadership is now bearing fruits and the evidence of change is now manifesting.

Bauchi, Jigawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Enugu and Ebonyi bear witness and there is more to come.

Thank You.

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING

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.