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Mar
25
2025

LATEST PRESS

FG Flags Off Access Road to Second Niger Bridge (Phase 2A), Reinforces Commitment to Infrastructure Development


The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works has officially flagged off the Construction of a 17.55-Kilometre Access Road to the Second Niger Bridge (Phase 2A) in Asaba, linking the South South Zone to the South East. This milestone event underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication to enhancing national road infrastructure and fostering economic growth.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Works Engr (Sen) David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE lauded the host State Government for its commitment to infrastructure development, emphasising that governance is about improving the lives of the people. He commended the Edo State Governor’s proactive approach to addressing road infrastructure needs, acknowledging the numerous ongoing projects, including three major flyovers in Warri town. "Your state is a construction site. You have demonstrated that leadership is about responsibility, not excuses. Instead of blaming the Federal government, you are taking proactive actions. That is highly commendable," he stated.

Engr. Umahi further highlighted the Federal Government’s broader vision for road infrastructure, revealing that multiple strategic road projects are either ongoing or in the pipeline, nationwide. These include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Benin-Asaba Expressway, the Sokoto-Gusau-Katsina-Kaduna corridor, the East-West Road, the remaining section of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, amongst others. He assured that the 9-kilometre extension of the just-flagged off Reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway to the 2nd Niger Bridge requested by the State Government has been approved.

To ensure the security and sustainability of the newly constructed roads and bridges, the Government has implemented advanced surveillance measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras along the Access Roads and the Bridge. These cameras will be linked to the offices of the Governors of the concerned States to monitor activities and prevent vandalism. Additionally, the project will incorporate solar-powered streetlights to enhance visibility and security.

The Minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to prioritising inherited projects and delivering impactful infrastructure to Nigerians. He emphasized that under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, road projects nationwide are receiving unprecedented attention, ensuring seamless connectivity and economic progress.

"All major road projects inherited by Mr. President are ongoing. He has given them priority attention. This administration believes in continuity and results, not political excuses," he stressed.
The project, he continued, is part of a broader national infrastructure strategy aimed at connecting key economic zones and improving transportation efficiency. The government has assured that funding is secured, with 30% of the contract sum ready to be paid, while strict timelines and performance monitoring will be enforced to ensure timely delivery.

The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, while acknowledging the presence of dignitaries at the occasion, stated “It is an honor and privilege to stand before you today, representing His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This occasion is not just about flagging off a road project—it is a testament to this administration’s unwavering commitment to economic development, national integration, and infrastructure renewal.

“The construction of the Access Road is a major step towards strengthening our nation’s connectivity. This road will ease movement, facilitate trade, and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Delta, Anambra, and beyond. It is yet another proof that under this administration, infrastructure development remains a top priority for fostering economic growth and national unity. I want to, especially, commend the government and people of Delta and Anambra States for their collaboration in ensuring the success of this project. Your support and cooperation are crucial in making this vision a reality. Infrastructure development is not just the responsibility of the Federal Government requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, including the State Governments, Local Communities, and Private Sector Partners,” says the President.

The Governor added “To our esteemed contractors, I urge you to ensure the highest standards of quality and timely completion of this project. This is not just a road; it is a legacy of progress that will serve generations to come.”

He extended his gratitude to all present-the traditional rulers, community leaders, and all who have contributed in one way or another to the realisation of the initiative. “Your support and dedication to the success of this project reflect our shared commitment to building a better, more connected Nigeria.
As we look forward to its completion, let us all continue to work together for the development of our great nation,” Governor Oborevwori concluded.

Dec
11
2024

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS MEETS WITH BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (BPP) HARPS ON NEW PARADIGM OF SEAMLESS BUREAUCRACIES TO END DELAYS IN PROJECT EXECUTION As part of efforts to end delays in the implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda on the road sector development, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze Umahi, CON has had a partnership discussion with the management of the Bureau of Public Procurement. (BPP) on the need for a new paradigm of seamless bureaucracies in public procurement processes for efficient and timely project delivery.  In a meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja on 10th December 2024, the Honourable Minister stated that for the works sector to achieve greater prospects in innovation, efficiency, and economy in the road infrastructure revolution agenda of the present administration and to best respond to the citizens’ yearning for road sector intervention, there must be a deliberate effort to remove all bureaucratic constraints to project evaluation by the Bureau of Public Procurement. He noted the core mandates of the Bureau, which among others are to foster accountability, consistency in pricing, effectiveness in contract execution, and value for money, and urged them to see delay as one of the greatest inhibitors of the objectives of the establishment of the Bureau. "We seek closer cooperation and collaboration to enable the Ministry to Fastrack delivery of the road infrastructure projects inherited and those initiated by the Renewed Hope administration. When we came on board, we insisted on best practices, and we introduced innovations to ensure we give Nigerians enduring road infrastructure that is fit for purpose. We therefore need a collaborative resolve to end unnecessary delays in the procurement processes." He pointed out that different procurement methods, including restrictive, selective, and competitive bidding measures, are geared towards achieving value for money and effective service delivery to Nigerians. On his part, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun commended the Honourable Minister  for the purposeful initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Works under his watch and assured him of enhanced synergies with the Ministry so that the noble objectives of the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the works sector would be achieved. He said, “The interesting thing about you is that you don't fail in your duty, which I have observed. You start, you end with something that is unique about you, and you're passionate about what you want to do. We are glad when you extended the invitation for us to come here. We know you see BPP as a worthy partner towards ensuring that Mr. President's objectives in respect of road infrastructure are achieved timely, transparently, and well-accounted.” He thanked the Honourable Minister for the initiative to hold the meeting to discuss areas of procurement challenges. He said, “We are here to hear your challenges, and for us to also hear our own challenges and reach an understanding of how to make sure we work together to achieve the same goal for logical completion. From my experience in this job over the years, works is an arm of government that Nigerians see every day. They talk about it every day. If there is the agency or Parastatal or Ministry that if things fail, then all Nigerians will shout against Mr. President, it is the Ministry of Works. So we place serious premium on closely working with you to ensure we deliver on the mandates in a way that value for money is achieved, in a way that sustainability of what we have on ground is improved upon and even the quality of the roads that we deliver. I think our partnership with you, Your Excellency, is that the quality of the roads that we see must return back to the days when we constructed a road that 25 years later is still intact.” The meeting was attended by directors of key departments of both the Ministry and the Bureau, including Engr. Bede U. Obioha, Director Highways Bridge and Design, Engr. Musa Saidu, Acting Director Highways Road Design and Engr. Clement Ogbuagu, Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation Federal Ministry of Works, as well as Nasir M. Bellow, Isaiah G. Yesufu, Janet McDickson, Directors of the Bureau of Public Procurement.   ...

Dec
06
2024

SENATE COMMENDS POLICY DIRECTION AND INNOVATIONS OF THE RENEWED HOPE ADMINISTRATION IN WORKS SECTOR, BACKS ACTIONS TO HOLD CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE. -AS JULIUS BERGER RISKS WARRANT OF ARREST FOR DISREGARDING LEGISLATURE’S INVITATION In an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Works on contractors’ slow pace of work on the Odukpani-Aba-Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene and other sections ending at Benin, including the Odukpani-Itu Highway, the Eket Bypass, Port Harcourt - Ahoada, Ahoada - Kaiama, and Port Harcourt - Onne Junction Sections of the East-West Road, carried out by the Senate Committee on Works held at the Senate building, National Assembly Complex on 5th December 2024, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Distinguished Senator, Barinada Mpigi has commended the bold steps of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in tackling the challenges that inhibit road infrastructure development in Nigeria. In the meeting which had in attendance, the members of the Committee, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, with his management team and concerned contractors including, CCECC, RCC, SAMATECH, GITTO and SETRACO, the Senate Committee Chairman stated that the Senate is prepared to fully back actions that hold contractors accountable and put an end to practices that delay the impact of this administration’s infrastructure delivery goals. He maintained that Nigerians deserve nothing short of the best in our road infrastructure deliverables and urged stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities in this regard. He commended the Federal Ministry of Works for the technical innovations they have brought to the construction industry and warned that it was no longer business as usual for contractors to collect tax payers’ money and would delay in completing the projects they contracted to do or do a substandard job. He said, “In addition to his technical innovations, Senator Umahi has demonstrated remarkable decisiveness in identifying and addressing non-performing contracts. His actions in revoking underperforming agreements and ensuring that public funds are redirected to more capable contractors reflect a deep commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration. This agenda prioritizes infrastructure as the backbone of economic revitalization, and we, in the Senate, will support every step taken to ensure its success.” He decried the hardship contractors’ behaviour has caused road users. “This deplorable condition has resulted in devastating consequences. Precious lives have been lost, not just on the highway but also among those forced to seek alternative routes through treacherous river crossings. The tragic accident near the Mini Itu bridgehead in Odukpani Local Government Area, which claimed five lives, is a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue.” He warned that the era of such behaviours of contractors had gone. “Contractors, including RCC, have received substantial funds, including the N15 billion that was injected into this project, yet delivery remains elusive. The other stretch of the East-West Road has contractors like RCC, Setraco, and Gitto who have been paid billions, yet the pace of work is far from acceptable. Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works thanked the Senate leadership, Senate Committee on Works and indeed the 10th NASS for placing a watch on the contractors to ensure value for money, speedy and quality delivery of all the road projects of this administration. He commended the President of Nigeria very highly for giving priority attention to the completion of the inherited ongoing projects and for the vision that informed the initiative to construct the four Legacy projects cutting across the 6 Geo-Political Zones. He noted the impediments to the execution of the ongoing projects but assured that Mr. President was tackling the situation. He said, “It's very rare for a President to come on board, and he decided to ignore new projects and decided to take on all the inherited projects and do them at the same time. It's very rare.” On funding, he said, “And we have a country where we want to make an omelet, but we don't want to strike an egg. The projects of roads can    not and will never be executed to the satisfaction of the public by using budgetary allocations. There must be different kinds of funding. These different kinds of funding must have to come from either bond or loan to do the job. But the public is saying, no, the President is taking a loan. But, the President is taking a loan to invest in infrastructure development. And that's what every developed country follows.  He spoke of the efforts made by the Ministry on the Odukpani-Aba-Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene road, “And so we modified it and then put more stronger sub base and then we increased the thickness of the asphalt pavement so that we can finish the existing pavement as quickly as possible. But the new carriageway, if we have money, will be done on the rigid pavement. This is the reason. And so we have to agree with them. They have to make a promise before the Senate that they will mobilize on three sections doing exactly the same work. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Works has given Julius Berger Plc ultimatum to appear before it on 6th December 2024. In a motion moved and adopted during the investigative hearing, the Senate resolved that it would have no option than to issue a warrant of arrest on Julius Berger Plc should it fail to appear before it as scheduled. Moving the motion, a member of the Committee, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong said, "Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Limited is not here. Now, my understanding is that Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc bidded, was selected, and awarded this job. Funds from taxpayers across this country were disbursed to them. Our understanding is that they showed up on site for a brief period and have since abandoned the site. It is our collective resolve as a committee that under the new Minister's rule, Julius Berger should be produced to this committee in 24 hours by 2 p.m, the 6th of December, 2024, a failure of which will lead to our invoking our constitutional powers and issuing a warrant of arrest on messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc”    ...

Dec
04
2024

GORONYO COMMISSIONS ROAD PROJECT IN LAGOS The Honourable Minister of State for Works, HMSW, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq, has on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024 commissioned a recently recovered critically failed road at Ijora Causeway situated within the Apopa- Ijora Local Government Area of Lagos State.  The road, built on rigid pavement through direct labour, was completed up to about 80% under the supervision of the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). Speaking at the occasion, the HMSW noted that the road will impact positively on the economic well-being of the community, it will also help to mitigate youth unemployment, insecurity and threats to communal peace. While commending FERMA for its prompt response to the plight of the community, he charged them to react proactively to ensure the remaining portion of the road is fixed before the end of the year, as it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who according to him is running an infrastructure-friendly administration. He enjoined the leaders and people to take full ownership of the facility to prevent it from abuse. The representative of the Ojora of Ijora, who was unavoidably absent, Chief Samsudeen Ojora expressed the appreciation of His Royal Majesty and the indigenes of the community for the recovery and reconstruction of the road, which, as he emphasised, was hitherto impassable, terrible and an eyesore.  He appealed to the Minister and FERMA to ensure the speedy completion of the remaining portion of the project. He further pledged the unalloyed support and continuous prayers of the Oba for the Federal Government. The MD/CEO of FERMA, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi commended the Oba of Ijora and the people residing in the community for their good manners, support and cooperation, while the project was ongoing. Dr. Agbasi promised that FERMA will continue to do their best in adding value to road management in the country.   ...

First First

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT


Jul
16
2024

 


OTHER NEWS

Dec
16
2023

Farewell To a Rare Gem, Okwadike

 

Hon. Minister of Works, Sen. Umahi commiserates with the family, government and people of Anambra  State over the death of the former Governor  of Anambra State, Dr Ezeife.

 

I received with a deep sense of sympathy the sad news of the glorious exit of the former Governor of Anambra State and elder statesman of note ,His Excellency,  late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife who journeyed to eternal  glory  on the 14th day of December,2023 at the of 85 years.

 

2. Late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife   was an advocate of selfless leadership and crusader for the cause of justice and national integration.  He was unequivocal on his stand for an egalitarian nation where all Nigerians shall enjoy equal, just and fair treatment notwithstanding their natural, cultural or religious inclinations. He was a prominent voice on national conversations. The loss of this dear nationalist has no doubt created a deep vacuum in the hearts of his loved ones and, indeed, all who shared in the values of his ideals. I heartily convey my deepest condolences to his family, the government and people of Anambra State for the loss of this great iconic leader and national figure who left inspiring life and times   worthy of emulation. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen.

 

3. Please, accept the assurances of the compassionate considerations, esteemed regards and best wishes  of my family, the management  and staff of Federal Ministry of  Works.

 

H.E. Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, CON, GGCEHF
Hon. Minister of Works

SPEECHES

Jan
25
2023

Religious And Tribal Tolerance: Panacea to Peaceful Co-Existence in Nigeria - The Rev. Euba Example, Being the Text of The First Reverend William Benjamin Euba Memorial Lecture 110th Founders Day Celebration

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank you all for the honour of inviting me to speak at this year's Founders Day celebration of the Eko Boys High School and in particular for inaugurating this Memorial lecture in honour of the visionary Reverend William Benjamin Euba now of very blessed memory, who founded this school.

I know that in 1955 when the Premier of the Western Region inaugurated the free primary education program across the western region, the prevailing condition was one of mass illiteracy.

While many of our people are now literate in numeracy and letters, and they can now operate a telephone, this literacy that we have come to take for granted, was unthinkable on any scale in the western region in 1955.  Large numbers of people simply could not put meaning to numbers and letters talk less of reading or writing.

One of the permanent businesses of that time, was that of a professional letter writer. Yes, in case you did not know or you have forgotten that was a business that once thrived in Nigeria and which happily by the vision and execution of Awolowo, is now history, because the monopoly of knowledge by a few has been democratised by the leadership provided by one man and his team.

But my intervention is not about Obafemi Awolowo but rather about William Euba.

But it is important to put matters in context by emphasising how difficult things were in 1955 when Awolowo intervened, which is just 68 years ago.

You can therefore imagine perhaps how much more difficult the Euba era was, back in January 1913 when he opened the doors of Eko Boys High School to the public to get Educated.

That was 110 years ago today and approximately 42 years before free education started; and interestingly, both events occurred in January.

On a lighter note, and for those who have recently been involved in the debate over who is the greatest of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I do not intend such a debate between Euba and Awolowo.

Rather, I seek to celebrate the farsightedness of their vision about the importance of education and knowledge to nation building, peaceful coexistence and information management for rational choices.

This school, founded by Reverend Euba, and the many more that have come after it have in my view been the glue that has bound our people together in more ways than we have either acknowledged or appreciated.

This is the background to my discussion of the topic of this lecture: Religious and Tribal Tolerance: Panacea to Peaceful Coexistence in Nigeria - The Reverend Euba Example.

The example of Rev. Euba remains iconic because he set up a school that opened its doors to people from all walks of life, in our diverse country.

The importance of this educational tolerance to peaceful coexistence is easy to miss, if we do not understand how strong identities are, and how even more strongly people cling to their tribal, ethnic, and religious identities.

For those who want to delve into the matter of identity more deeply, I recommend, “IDENTITY: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment” by Francis Fukuyama.

But for the purpose of today, it is simply important to stress how strongly those identities magnify our suspicions about one another, inflame myths about others in our minds and expand fault lines that overshadows the common bonds of humanity that we all share.

It is the very early work and initiative of men like Reverend Euba and other missionaries of the time to open access to formal education for African and Nigerian children on a non-discriminatory basis that has helped in no small way to bridge those gaps that are being widened by manipulation of our ethnic and religious diversity.

As I have had cause to argue on occasion, if our creator has demonstrated the capacity to create diversity, certainly nothing could have prevented him from making us all the same other than his infinite wisdom that our diversity would better enrich us and make our planet a more exciting place.

Regrettably this is what a few people (and I insist that they are few) choose to weaponize and deny us of the richness and excitement that the creator intended for us.

Clearly, Reverend Euba saw through their chicanery many years before it matured. He chose education as his weapon to put those few people in their place.

A place of irrelevance and ignominy, supplanted by the training of a large army of young people who have the understanding of both religions, who accept the minor differences between them and who decide to embrace the fundamentals of a common good and a common humanity.

Those young people, by virtue of the opportunity they got to attend the same school, sit in the same classrooms, eat together and participate in sporting activities together have learned that we are not different from one another even if we speak different languages.

Afterall, as Bishop Desmond Tutu of blessed memory argues in his book "God is not a Christian," that the languages we speak and the faith we profess are not divine; on the contrary they are products of where we were born and to whom we were born.

Those accidental circumstances should not define our essence. They should not be points of discord or discontent. Rather they should serve as sources of strength and richness which in fact they are.

It is to the eternal credit of Reverend William Benjamin Euba and others like him that they saw these sources of strength and richness and exposed young men and women to them through education.

This has turned a generation of young men and women into a large army of adults who have overcome religious and ethnic differences to contribute to national good and development.

Permit me to illustrate this phenomenon, by telling you a story that is only one example of many uncountable stories, which keeps the very few peddlers of division in check in our country.

On the 16th day of December 2022, I was invited to the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Grammar School premises to open an e-learning centre at the school premises in Bariga area of Lagos.

The centre had 300 computers, high speed broadband internet, fully equipped IT lab, for students and many other facilities for librarians and teachers. It was not built by the Anglican mission nor was it built by a Christian.

It was built by a Muslim, Senator Olugbenga Bareehu Ashafa, a two-term senator and now the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority.

It was built in part because he was an old boy of that school. The Anglican mission did not shut him out about 50 years ago when he sought admission there, on the grounds that he was a Muslim.

On the contrary, they opened their doors to him, and interestingly while still a student, the school gave him a special permission to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca as his parents wished and he returned to complete his education.

As I said, at the occasion, what is a Bareehu doing amongst Anglicans? Only the farsighted vision of missionaries and men like Reverend Euba could have found a place of comfort for a Bareehu amongst Anglicans, and for me a Raji in Eko Boys High School. Yes, I passed through this school for one year.

Ladies and gentlemen, Reverend Euba’s place in Nigeria’s quest for peaceful coexistence is legendary. We cannot thank him enough. May his kind, generous and visionary soul continue to rest in peace and may his example continue to inspire our nation.

PHOTO NEWS

Nov
13
2024

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF NIGER STATE, H.E. MOHAMMED UMARU BAGO AT THE TOWN HALL MEETING AND STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 127-KILOMETRE, 3-LANE, SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY (NIGER STATE COMPONENT) OF THE 1,068-KILOMETRE SOKOTO - BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY IN MINNA, WEDNESDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER, 2024

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PHOTO NEWS

Jul
17
2024

PICTURES FROM DAY 2 OF THE 29TH MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS

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