Federal Ministry of Works

Jun

2026

LATEST PRESS

UMAHI ISSUES STRONG WARNING TO NON-PERFORMING CONTRACTORS, SAYS TINUBU MUST NOT BE BLAMED FOR PROJECT DELAYS

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has issued a strong warning to contractors handling Federal Government road projects, urging them to fulfil their contractual obligations and eliminate the factors that give rise to unwarranted criticism of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Speaking during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing road and bridge projects in Kogi and Edo States, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on some sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway and the Dualisation of Obajana Junction -Benin Road. He disclosed that, due to funding constraints, the scope of one of the Sections of the Abuja-Lokoja road had to be reduced from 49.28 kilometres to 28 kilometres to concentrate available resources on the most critical portions.

"I am very sad with what I saw on the ground. What was reported to us is not reflected in the actual work being done," the Minister observed.

Engr. Umahi reiterated the Ministry's directive that no section of the Federal highway should remain closed for more than 14 days during construction. He subsequently issued an ultimatum to the affected contractor to complete the required section within the stipulated period or risk termination of the contract.

The Minister, however, commended Messrs JRB Construction Company for the quality and pace of work on its project, describing the company as a model of professionalism and commitment. According to him, "If everybody does his job accordingly, there will be no reason to shift the blame to Mr. President."

He also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to GELD Construction Company, handling one of the sections, to effectively utilise funds already released to demonstrate visible progress on the project.

According to the Minister, a substantial percentage of Nigeria's Federal road network had deteriorated before the advent of the present administration, stressing that President Tinubu inherited enormous infrastructure challenges but has continued to make significant strides to restore and modernise the nation's road sector.

He further directed the Federal Controllers of Works (FCW), Engineers’ Representatives (E.R.), and project supervisors to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enforce greater accountability, insisting that all procurement processes and expenditures must be properly justified.

As part of the inspection tour, the Minister visited the reconstruction of the existing pavement and completion of the additional carriageway on Section III of the Abuja–Lokoja Dual Carriageway, including works being executed by Trucrete Solutions Limited on the Koton Karfe–Abuja alignment.

He also inspected two critical bridge projects along the same corridor, as well as the ongoing dualisation of the Lokoja–Benin Road. The projects inspected include Section I, Obajana Junction–Okene, and Section II covering the Okene–Auchi corridor across Kogi and Edo States.

The Minister further assessed progress on the flyover and interchange components of the project being executed by CCG Contractors, with the flyovers at approximately 80 percent completion and the interchange at about 30 percent.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, commended Engr. Umahi for his visionary leadership and firm commitment to ensuring value for public funds. He noted that political office holders can no longer continue to bear responsibility for the poor performance of contractors, stressing that Nigerians expect tangible results and timely project delivery.

Senator Onyesoh also appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure the timely release of funds for ongoing projects. He added that the Committee would reserve its final assessment pending the level of commitment and progress demonstrated by the contractors.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, called on all stakeholders to support the Ministry in delivering a quality road network across the country. He emphasised that road development is a collective responsibility and observed that President Tinubu has entrusted the Ministry with the critical task of ensuring efficient project execution.

Addressing contractors, Hon. Alabi assured them that the Federal Government remains committed to meeting all legitimate payment obligations, while commending JRB Construction Company for its significant investment and commitment to Nigeria's infrastructure development.

The Managing Director of GELD Construction Company, Mr. Fadi Azimi, assured the delegation that the company would intensify work and ensure improved project delivery, in line with the Ministry's expectations.

The Ministry reaffirmed its determination to address the challenge of non-performing contractors and reiterated its commitment to strengthening supervision, accountability, and the timely delivery of quality road and bridge infrastructure across the country.

Jan

2022

FG Undertaking 21 Road Projects In Kano - Fashola ... "Mr President is making Kano the commercial nerve centre of some West African countries” _ Ganduje. The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola , SAN has disclosed that the All Progressive Congress, (APC ), led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is undertaking 21 road projects in addition to housing projects that have reached the third Phase in Kano State. The Minister made this disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the Kano State Government House on Wednesday 26th January, 2022. Fashola said, " At the moment we are undertaking 21 roads projects at the Federal Government level in and around Kano State totalling about 960 kilometres and some of the more famous ones are: Kano - Abuja Highway, Kano - Katsina, Kano - Maiduguri and a host of others." The Minister also revealed that his Ministry has completed Phases 1 and 2 of the National Housing Programme in Kano State and had proceeded to Phase 3. He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had given the approval for the handing over of the houses to members of the public and the exercise will be conducted by the Minsters from the various states on behalf of the President. While expressing deep appreciation for the cooperation given to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing by the Kano State Government, he called on the members of the State Cabinet to encourage the indigenes and residents of Kano State to subscribe to the housing units through the portal that had been opened for interested home applicants saying that the Federal Government expected that Kano people would be the heaviest subscribers to the houses in the State. The Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was visibly pleased by the visit of Mr. Fashola, acknowledged the massive Infrastructural development undertaken by the Federal Government in the State in the road, housing, railway and aviation sectors. The Governor listed the railway network connecting Lagos - Ibadan - Kaduna - Kano, the ones between Kano Jibia and Maradi, Kano - Dutse and the substation at Kazaure in addition to the road projects executed as well as the work on the international wing of the Aminu Kano international airport which he described as comparable to those in world capitals as some of the ways in which the Buhari administration had impacted positively on Kano state. Ganduje said, " Mr. President is making Kano not only the commercial nerve centre of the northern part of the country, but the commercial nerve centre of some West African Countries." He hinted that the State Government would soon introduce a mass transit system and requested the Federal Government for lay byes and bus stops along some major roads in the State. The Governor also disclosed that the State Government had earmarked the sum of 2 billion naira for the establishment of weigh bridges in the three main entrances to the State in order to protect the roads within the metropolitan city of Kano and therefore sought the approval from the Federal Government to execute the project. The Deputy Governor of the State, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and commissioners were among those that received the Minister. On the Minister's entourage were Directors of the Ministry, Special Assiatants to the Minister and Federal Controllers of Works and Housing in Kano state. ...

Jan

2022

Approval Of Rail Line Project - PMB Scores Another Milestone In Infrastructure Development The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has commended the President and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the approval of the construction of a narrow-gauge rail track from Minna to Baro with an extension to the Baro River Port in Niger State, which he described as a major milestone in infrastructure development. He noted that the approval which is an attestation to President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to infrastructure development would boost trading, mining and agro allied activities in and around the state and improve the efficiency of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). Mu'azu stated this when he played host to the management team of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief George Moghalu who paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister. Sambo also said he was sure of increased success in Federal Ministry of Works and Housing with the pedigree of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who he referred to as his brother. “I am proud of my senior Minister, brother, Babatunde Fashola SAN. He is committed, hardworking and passionate about his job and together we shall succeed,” he said. Mu'azu told the NIWA team that his appointment as Minister was designed by God, and actualized by President Muhammadu Buhari, his role model since 1975, adding that he never knew he would find himself in the position and advised all to put in their best in every endeavour and strive to impact people along their way. Mu’azu thanked the NIWA team for the courtesy visit and their best wishes for him while pledging to continue the bond of relationship with NIWA his former office which he described as a family relationship and also promised to give them support where necessary. “Public office is a trust, advising that persons in authority should do the right things at all times,” he said. Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer National Inland Waterways Authority, Chief George Moghalu told the Minister that they were in his office to congratulate him on his appointment as the Minister of State for Works and Housing and wish him well. "We are proud of your appointment. We are here to congratulate you and pray God to help you discharge your duties successfully” he said. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mu'azu Jaji Sambo as Minister of State for Works and Housing, adding that it was a right choice, having been privileged to witness his dedication and efficiency while at NIWA. ...

Jan

2022

Perm Sec Harps on Public Support to Maintain Federal Roads The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini has called on the Nigerian public to support the Federal government to ensure all Federal roads and utilities across nation are kept in good condition. The Permanent Secretary strongly warned member of the public to any activity that will cause damage to our roads, reminding that government will not hesitate to take full course of the law against violators. Hussaini's warning came in reaction to a portion of the road shoulders on Kano Western bypass damaged during the construction of a filling station by one Alhaji Sabi'u Farinwata whom Hussaini had given a stern warning and instructions to refix the damaged portions to standard as specified by his ministry. The Permanent Secretary reminded the general public on the mandate of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing in ensuring that all Federal roads across the country are maintained and kept in good condition in order to last their lifespan. He enjoined Nigerians to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its efforts at providing good road infrastructure across the country for the benefit of Nigerians. “This administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has committed alot of resources to fix and refix our road infrastructure, it is therefore incumbent upon us all to ensure the proper usage and maintenance for them to last “Hussaini stated. ...