GORONYO: ENGINEERING INNOVATION, QUALITY ROADS CRITICAL TO NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION — Says Tinubu’s Flagship Highway Projects Will Connect Nigeria, Drive Trade and Create Prosperity The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has called on Nigerian engineers, innovators, professionals in the diaspora and international development partners to deploy their expertise and innovations towards accelerating Nigeria’s infrastructure development and economic transformation. Goronyo made the call while speaking at the 2026 UK Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, themed “Engineering Innovation for National Impact.” The Minister described engineering as more than technical expertise, stressing that it remains a critical foundation for Nigeria’s national development, economic growth and prosperity. He said Nigeria, with its large population, abundant resources and immense human capital, could only achieve sustainable transformation by embracing innovation, professionalism and deliberate investment in infrastructure. According to him, “Roads lead to prosperity. They are not just pathways of asphalt and concrete; they are the arteries of commerce, agriculture and industry, carrying the lifeblood of our economy.” Goronyo noted that quality road infrastructure serves as a major enabler of economic growth, facilitates movement of people and goods, reduces transportation costs, creates employment opportunities and strengthens trade across the country. He said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to infrastructure development through significant investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s flagship legacy highway projects, describing them as strategic infrastructure corridors designed to strengthen connectivity among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and unlock economic opportunities. He listed the projects to include the 750-kilometre Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway; the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway; the Trans-Sahara Trade Route (Calabar–Abuja); and the 1,100-kilometre Akwanga–Jos–Maiduguri Superhighway. Goronyo explained that the projects were not merely roads, but strategic economic lifelines designed to integrate communities, facilitate trade, strengthen regional connectivity and stimulate economic activities. He further emphasised the importance of professional standards, regulatory compliance and accountability in the engineering sector, noting that the Federal Ministry of Works remains committed to ensuring that public infrastructure is delivered to the highest standards. Goronyo said the Ministry had fully endorsed the proactive regulatory philosophy of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), including stronger sanctions for professional misconduct, technical monitoring mechanisms and enhanced professional development through the Engineering Residency Programme. He stated that the Ministry, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. (Sen.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, was intensifying project audits and technical oversight to ensure that only qualified, competent and duly registered professionals are entrusted with critical public infrastructure projects. Goronyo urged Nigerian engineers to see themselves as guardians of public safety and national development, stressing that engineering excellence must remain central to the delivery of durable and sustainable infrastructure. He also extended an invitation to Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and international partners to bring their expertise, innovations, investments and global experience to Nigeria. “Nigeria is open for business. Bring your talents, innovations and investments. Join us through Public-Private Partnerships, tax credit schemes and engineering collaborations. Together, we can build roads and bridges that do more than connect cities; they can connect dreams, aspirations, opportunities and prosperity,” he said. Rt. Hon. Goronyo expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Glasgow Branch, for the invitation and for providing a platform for Nigerian engineers and international professionals to exchange ideas on how engineering can contribute to national development. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where movement is seamless, logistics are efficient, infrastructure is sustainable and prosperity is widely shared.   ...

*” WE ARE NOT JUST TURNING SOIL, WE ARE TURNING A PAGE  OF OPPORTUNITIES AND RESTORING CONFIDENCE”- President Tinubu* In another bold move towards improving transportation and stimulating economic growth across the country, the Federal Government has officially flagged off the construction of the Osogbo–Akoda–Gbangan and Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Roads in Osun and Oyo States in the South-West geopolitical zone. The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who performed the ground-breaking ceremony in Osogbo, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, expressed delight that the two road projects executed during his tenure as Governor of Osun State are now to be reconstructed by the Federal Government, using rigid pavement. He commended President Tinubu for embarking on bold endeavours that directly improve the lives of Nigerians. “These roads are very critical to the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal, aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety and stimulating socio -economic activities,” he emphasised. He outlined the scope of work to include site clearance, evacuation of unsuitable materials, milling of the existing asphaltic pavement, provision of a 100mm wet-crushed stone base, a 200mm cement-stabilised base course, and a 200mm continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) for both carriageways and shoulders. The Presidential Representative disclosed that the projects, when completed, “would unlock economic opportunities, create employment, improve the transportation of agricultural produce and other goods, and enhance the overall quality of life.” He urged the contractors to deliver the jobs within the agreed engineering standards and timelines. Speaking earlier, the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE said “The projects reflect the avowed commitment of the President to delivering critical road infrastructure across the Federation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.” The Minister said President Tinubu's vision is to connect communities with comparative economic advantages through strategic road networks that promote trade, create jobs, enhance security, and accelerate national development. He added that the projects are “designed to unlock economic opportunities, reduce travel time, lower transportation and vehicle maintenance costs, facilitate the movement of agricultural and other goods, strengthen security, as well as boost commercial activities.” He further stated that the roads are being constructed with the highest standards and are expected to require minimal maintenance for several decades. Responding to concerns about the Federal Government’s borrowings, Engr. Umahi maintained that they are strategic investments in the country's future. "For those questioning government borrowing money, this is the answer. The funds are being invested to revive and complete strategic road projects that have remained abandoned for decades," he stressed. Minister Umahi assured the people of Osun and Oyo States that the projects would be completed within their stipulated contractual terms. He, however, appealed to the host communities, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with the contractors to ensure the smooth and timely execution of the projects. In his Opening Address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, described the flag-off as “another milestone in President Tinubu's commitment to delivering quality infrastructure under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Works. He explained that the roads would serve as vital socioeconomic corridors. He urged the contractors to adhere strictly to quality standards and delivery deadlines. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, and the Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Works, Honourable Akin Alabi, reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to adequate appropriation of funds and effective legislative oversight of road projects nationwide. They unanimously commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development and praised the Honourable Minister of Works for the unprecedented progress being recorded on road development across the six geopolitical zones. In their separate remarks, the Contractors, the Managing Director of Trucrete Solutions Limited, Mr. Roze Mohammed Sherani, and the Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, Engr. Olanrewaju Abel Adeleke, assured the Federal Government and Nigerians that the projects would be completed within the stipulated contractual parameters. Traditional rulers at the event, including His Imperial Majesty, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, and the Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, expressed gratitude to Mr. President for reviving the critically failed road projects. They described the projects as transformational and commended the administration's unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigeria's road infrastructure. The ceremony was graced by the Governors of Kogi and Edo States, His Excellency Usman Idodo and Sen. Monday Okpebholo, members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other key stakeholders. The flag-off marks another significant step in the implementation of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strategic infrastructure development at the forefront of national economic growth, regional integration, and inclusive prosperity.   ...

“WE HAVE SAILED PAST EPE”: UMAHI CLARIFIES DONALD DUKE’S OPINION AS TINUBU’S LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL SUPERHIGHWAY ADVANCES ACROSS STATES The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has clarified opinion arising from the opinion expressed by former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would may not go beyond Epe, explaining that construction has already progressed beyond the area and is advancing steadily across several states. Speaking during an inspection of Section 4B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Ondo State on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Minister explained that the Renewed Hope flagship infrastructure project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making steady progress, creating thousands of jobs, improving security and opening new opportunities for commerce, agriculture and education. Recalling Donald Duke’s opinion on the project, Umahi pointed out that the facts on the ground have now answered every doubt. “So the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is already on sail. And then so we have sail past Lagos that my brother Donald Duke talked about.” The Minister explained that construction is progressing simultaneously across several state, “We are also on sail at Ogun, 28KM, on sail at Ondo, 52KM, all by two. We are already on sail in Calabar, 27km, and the Akwa Ibom, the first section of Akwa Ibom is about 47km. Those jobs are over 60 percent done. And we are on sail in the longest section of this Lagos-Calabar, that is at Akwa Ibom, 180km by two.” Umahi emphasised that the coastal highway is not just about connecting communities but about transforming lives through employment, improved security and economic prosperity. “Roads are source of employment. We’ve counted over one thousand people within this section employed by HITECH. It is creating a lot of direct and indirect jobs. It is also solving the problem of insecurity. Because anywhere we are working, we have a lot of security people working along the corridor. We have the local people that are also helping, and they have their vigilante, they have their local security, and so it is helping. It is opening a lot of corridor for commerce, for agriculture, for education.” The Minister maintained that constructive criticism remains welcome, provided it is accompanied by practical alternatives. “So if you want to criticize us, I’ve said it, criticize us constructively and offer alternatives.” Umahi further explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to delivering the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, expressing confidence that the project will be completed. “According to the words of President Bola Tinubu, he said this project will be done. With God on his side, it will be done.” The Minister urged the people of the Niger Delta to support and defend the transformational project, describing it as one that will reshape the economic future of the region. “It is up to Niger Delta people to open their mouth and defend these projects. Of course, they should defend the project. They should defend the president. They must have to vote for the president to complete this project.” Umahi maintained that opposition to the coastal highway does not reflect the interests of the Niger Delta people. “Those who are attacking the coastal highway, they don’t have love for the Niger Delta people.” The Minister described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of the most transparent and economically prudent infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the country. “And this project is the most prudent project I’ve ever seen. When the Deutsche Bank people came to finance the first section, they said that the construction was in perfection. They said the design was in perfection, but the procurement, the cost was undervalued. And that’s why when they put it in the market, it was oversubscribed by 100m US dollars. And that is our bragging right as Minister of Works.” Responding to concerns that the highway alignment was altered to benefit private estates, Umahi clarified that the route was changed solely on engineering and economic considerations. He explained that the original proposal along the coastline encountered soil deposits as deep as 50 metres, making construction technically difficult and prohibitively expensive. He further noted that the original alignment would also have required bridges across three large ocean channels measuring about 3.5 kilometres each, significantly increasing the project’s cost. He pointed out that the revised alignment followed President Tinubu’s directive to ensure that the project remained achievable without compromising quality. “This is because the president wants Ministry of Works as much as possible to see how we minimize large ocean, body waters and then rivers. So we have to navigate it in compliance to the directive of the president that this must be realized.” The Minister commended HITECH Construction Company for its professionalism, quality of work and peaceful relationship with host communities, describing the company as a dependable partner in the successful delivery of the project. “We commend very highly the doggedness of HITEC the partnership of HITEC, the good spirit, the good work, and the community friendliness. It doesn’t matter what anybody with envy and jealousy say, you are our partners.” Looking ahead, Umahi expressed confidence that President Tinubu’s infrastructure agenda will leave a lasting legacy for generations of Nigerians. “And under President Bola Tinubu, this country shall be rebuilt. Every of this road that he’s constructing, for the next hundred years, maintenance free, we will not reconstruct it.” ...