Federal Ministry of Works

Oct

2026

LATEST PRESS

GORONYO COMMENDS SOKOTO GOVERNOR FOR DONATING 10 HILUX VEHICLES TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY ALONG SOKOTO–BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has commended the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, PhD, for donating 10 operational Toyota Hilux vehicles to strengthen security operations along the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and other strategic infrastructure corridors.

The vehicles were formally commissioned and handed over to the Nigerian Army at the Headquarters of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by the Honourable Minister of State for Works, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE.
The donation is expected to enhance the operational capacity of military personnel and other security agencies responsible for protecting construction workers, contractors, equipment and host communities along the highway corridor.

Speaking during the ceremony, Goronyo described the donation as a demonstration of the Sokoto State Government’s commitment to national development and the successful implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its landmark infrastructure projects.

The Minister emphasised that the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway represents a long-standing national infrastructure vision that dates back several decades, with its conception traced to the era of former President Shehu Shagari in the 1970s. However, the vision remained unrealised for decades until the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, initiated the construction of the 1,068-kilometre highway in October 2024.

He described the project as a significant step towards translating a historic aspiration into tangible infrastructure that will connect communities, expand economic opportunities and strengthen national integration.

According to Goronyo, President Tinubu’s commitment to the project demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to bridge critical infrastructure gaps and improve connectivity between northern and southern Nigeria.
He noted that the superhighway, which traverses Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, is designed to facilitate the movement of people and goods, reduce transportation costs, stimulate trade, create employment and open up new economic opportunities along its route.

The Minister added that the highway would improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services while supporting agriculture, commerce, industry and the development of communities across the corridor.
He stressed that the successful delivery of the project would require sustained commitment, effective coordination and cooperation among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities.

Goronyo maintained that effective security remained essential to the timely and successful completion of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway. He explained that the provision of operational vehicles would strengthen the mobility and response capabilities of security personnel deployed to safeguard the project and its surrounding communities.

The Minister highlighted other strategic infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Federal Government, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Calabar–Abuja/Trans-Saharan corridor, the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano route and the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto corridor.
He explained that these projects form part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to developing an integrated road network capable of supporting commerce, strengthening inter-state connections and accelerating national economic growth.

Rt. Hon. Goronyo further noted that the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway was intended to provide durable road infrastructure capable of serving Nigerians for decades. He added that complementary environmental and safety measures, including tree planting and solar-powered street lighting where provided for in the project, would contribute to environmental sustainability, visibility and road safety.

Goronyo commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their resilience, professionalism and sacrifices in protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure. He acknowledged the difficult conditions under which security personnel operate and urged them to remain steadfast in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

The Honourable Minister also expressed deep condolences to the Nigerian military over the reported loss of personnel in a bandit attack while on official duty the previous day. He described the loss as painful and extended his sympathy to the affected personnel, their colleagues and bereaved families, while praying for the peaceful repose of the departed and strength for their loved ones.

He further acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser in addressing security challenges associated with the project, particularly through assistance and coordination aimed at strengthening security operations along the highway corridor.

Reaffirming his commitment to the Federal Government’s infrastructure development agenda, Goronyo said the Ministry of Works would continue to support the implementation of strategic projects under President Tinubu’s leadership, working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure their successful delivery.

He expressed optimism that the continued implementation of the Federal Government’s development programmes would bring lasting benefits to Nigerians, while acknowledging the complementary role of the Sokoto State Government in supporting infrastructure development and security.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major General Bengba Paul Koughna, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Sokoto State Government for the donation of the 10 Hilux vehicles.

The GOC noted that the vehicles would significantly enhance the operational mobility and response capabilities of troops deployed along the highway corridor, particularly across the approximately 440-kilometre section extending through Sokoto and Kebbi states.

He explained that troops conduct regular patrols and maintain multiple deployment points along the corridor, making the additional vehicles a valuable boost to their operational effectiveness.

He assured the Minister that the vehicles would be deployed appropriately to support security operations and protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and other stakeholders involved in the project.

The GOC also commended the representative of Hitech Construction Company, retired General Sa'ad Abubakar, for the company's involvement in the project.

The event was attended by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aliyu Garba, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.
The donation underscores the importance of sustained collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities in addressing security challenges and ensuring the safe and timely delivery of strategic infrastructure projects.

The Federal Ministry of Works reiterates its commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to protect national infrastructure and advance the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable economic growth and development.

May

2022

Press Statement The attention of the Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to the activities of the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a transition committee created by law to undertake routine management of the ARCON upon expiration of tenure of its statutory council and pending the constitution of a new council. 2. In spite of presidential approval for the inauguration of a new council, it has not been possible to inaugurate the council as a result of litigation instituted by members of the Architecture Profession seeking to stop the inauguration. 3. In the face of this self-induced stalemate, the Management Committee is purporting to exercise powers which only a full committee is permitted by law to exercise. 4. Such conducts are clearly not only in violation of their enabling statute but could also attract criminal sanctions. These activities include: a plan to organize the 2022 Colloquium for architects in Nigeria from Monday 23rd –Thursday 26th May, 2022 and a plan to undertake Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE) Exercise. These are core functions of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and not that of the Management Committee. 5. In order to forestall any breach of law and guide the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, the stakeholders, and members of public appropriately, it is pertinent to make the following clarifications in line with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act (Cap A19 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004). 6. The membership composition of the Council is spelt out in Section 2 (2) of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A19 L.F.N 2004 which provides for the constitution of a 49-member Council of ARCON. 7. It is this Council that the Act vests with the performance of the core functions of ARCON as provided for by Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act. These functions can only be undertaken by the Council when there is a quorum of the membership of the Council. This is expressly stated in Section 4 of the First Schedule to the Act, thus: “The quorum of the Council shall be ten, so however that, at least one of the persons appointed by the Institute and five of the representatives of the States of the Federation are present at the particular meeting and the quorum of any committee of the Council shall be determined by the Council'' 8. The Ministry is not unaware of the provisions of Clause 1 (5) of the First Schedule to the Act, which provides that: “Notwithstanding that the term of office of a member of the Council has expired by the effluxion of time, a person appointed as the President, Vice-President or Treasurer of the Council shall continue in that office until a fresh appointment is made to the office.” It is the position of the Ministry that this provision does not entitle the President, Vice-President or Treasurer who now constitute Management Committee to assume the role of the Council having regards to the statutory provision of Quorum of the Council. Clear guidance is provided by Section 27 of the Interpretation Act Cap. 123 L.F.N 2004, Thus: “any act or thing which a statutory body is authorized or required to do shall only be done by a majority of members of such statutory body or a quorum of them.'' 9. A compound reading of the provisions of Section 4 (on the Quorum of the Council), Clause 1(5) of the First Schedule to the Act and Section 27 of the Interpretation Act clearly indicates that, the President, Vice-President and Treasurer of ARCON do not constitute a quorum for the purpose of carrying out the core functions of the Council. It therefore, follows that the President, Vice-President or Treasurer who now constitute Management Committee can only oversee the routine management of the Council. Moreover, Section 7(3) of the First schedule to the Act further provides that: A decision of the Committee shall be of no effect until it is confirmed by the Council. 10. The attention of the Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to the activities of the Management Committee particularly the newspaper publication in The Guardian Newspaper of 16th May 2022 in respect of the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE). These are core statutory functions of the Council when properly constituted and therefore ultra vires the functions of a Management Committee to act upon. 11. Consequently, in exercise of the supervisory powers of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing pursuant to the provision of sections 3 and 4 (1) of the Act, as well as Clause 2(2) of the First schedule to the Act, I have been directed by the Honourable Minister to convey the following to the Management Committee of ARCON that the Committee should: i. refrain forthwith from all activities which constitute statutory functions of the Council as enumerated in Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act until a new properly constituted Council is in place; ii. only oversee the routine administrative management of the Council until a new properly constituted Council is in place; iii. Retract recent statement in the advert by the Committee on the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE); iv. intensify efforts to reconcile the warring factions to embrace dialogue in resolving issues leading to the stagnation of the Profession rather than engage in needless litigation that created the current impasse; and v. ensure that the issues that led to the litigation that created the current impasse are speedily and amicably resolved in the best interest of the Architecture profession and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. DATED THIS MONDAY, 23RD DAY OF MAY 2022. Signed: Bashir Nura Alkali, FCA, FCTI Permanent Secretary For: Honourable Minister ...

May

2022

Fashola Meets Stakeholders On Rehabilitation Of Eko Bridge, Burnt Section At Apongbon, Other Brigdes, Seeks Cooperation Of All Commutters ...Says the rehabilitation of the Bridge is part of ongoing rehabilitation works on bridges across the country neglected over the years ....AMATO, transport companies, Apapa Local Government officials and traffic regulatory agencies also in attendance ....Reiterates directive for the evacuation by traders, other businesses from under bridges in Lagos, other parts of the country by June 9 The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, on Monday in Lagos briefed transportation stakeholders on the ongoing rehabilitation works on bridges nationwide including Eko Bridge and the recently burnt section at Apongbon with an appeal to commuters for cooperation as the Federal Government provide solutions to the vital road transport infrastructure neglected over the years. Addressing a Town Hall Meeting of the Stakeholders including representatives of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), transport companies, Apapa Local Government officials and traffic regulatory agencies held at the Conference Room of the Ministry’s Central Workshop in Ijora, on comprehensive repair of the bridge, and others across the country, Fashola explained that the repairs on Eko Bridge had become expedient as several portions of the bridge had become worn out due to years of neglect. Fashola, who had earlier gone round to see the situation under some bridges in Lagos Island, including Oja Oba/ Third Mainland Bridge/Ring Road, Obalende under Bridge and Apongbon under Bridge incuding the burnt section, where he sensitized traders, artisans and other squatters on the dangers and risks to life that their operations constitute, also extended the evacuation ultimatum to the squatters till June 9, warning that they either comply voluntarily or face forced eviction. At the meeting also attended by top officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Permanent Secretaries of the Lagos State Ministries of Environment, Transportation and Office of Infrastructure, alongside their Directors, at Ijora-Olopa, in Lagos, the Minister said the government was tackling the problem holistically, and needed support of stakeholders for smooth operations. Soliciting for the support of the Lagos State Ministries of Environment, Transportation and Office of Infrastructure, as well as the Local Governments, to help create awareness among the people over the roles to be played by all stakeholders during rehabilitation works, Fashola added, “We know the problem, we know the solution, we have a plan but we need your support”. The Minister also appealed to the transportation Stakeholders to encourage their members to build truck parks, urging them also not to always resort to “subtle threats or blackmail” each time issues of their members parking in the wrong places was pointed out to them. Fashola said that the colossal damage to the Apongbon section of the Eko Bridge was being addressed by the contractors on the project. Speaking with some of the business owners under the bridges, Fashola said government was giving them one month to relocate their businesses from under the bridges, saying that what happened at Apongbon section of Eko Bridge was an eye opener and government would not want a repeat of the incident. “We are building new bridges and maintaining some old ones so it will not be right to continue to allow you people to do business here as usual. Your businesses here constitute a threat and government wants you people to leave”, the Minister said assuring commuters on Eko Bridge that Government was working hard to mitigate their inconveniences while the rehabilitation work lasts. Recalling that Eko Bridge was built in 1975 and noting that it serves as a a strategic link between the Island and Mainland areas of Lagos, Fashola, who said emergency repair work has already commenced on the Bridge including the damaged section, cited its strategic importance to Lagosians as reason for the expediency. On the burnt section of Eko Bridge at Apongbon , the Minister, pointed out that the repair work needs planning, adding, “I have instructed the Ministry’s Engineers to carry out comprehensive assessment of repairs we need to carry out to know what it will cost government”. He explained that the cost was not in the 2022 Budget “because nobody planned for it”, but added, “So, we have to navigate and overcome the problem”. Earlier, while delivering his welcome address, the Director of Highway Bridges and Design Engr. Oluropo Oyetade, said Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was supervising 1732 bridges across Nigeria adding that Lagos State, with105, ranked fourth after Taraba, Niger, and Cross River. He said out of that number, government has intervened in 23, with 10 completed, 11 ongoing and new contracts awarded for Carter and Iganmu Bridges in the 2022 Budget. According to the Director, the first phase of the emergency repair of Eko Bridge was carried out in June 2020, during which another set of defects were noticed adding that this led to another contract award for Phase II in September 2020 during which more defects were detected, adding, “The Honourable Minister then directed for a holistic review of the whole bridge. This took all Directors of Highways months to accomplish and culminated in award of Comprehensive Maintenance of Eko Bridge in February 2022”. In his own remarks, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olowoshago Kamal, promised collaboration with the Federal Government for speedy completion of the rehabilitation works. While expressing concern on how to evict traders in a popular fish market and truck drivers who have occupied the under bridges, Chairperson of Apapa Local Government, Mrs. Idowu Shobanjo, said that the traders and the truck operators were insisting on remaining under the bridges and on roads adding that they anchored their insistence on alleged promises the State government made to them. Several business activities including mechanic workshops, ram market, welder workshops, selling of other various commodities were going on as at the time the Minister and his team visited the under bridges. ...

May

2022

FG To Finance Numan Jalingo Rd with N3bn Sukuk Fund –Sambo ………Says people of Taraba are happy with FG internal road works in Jalingo The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr. Mu'azu Jaji Sambo said there is a provision of N3bn Sukuk fund in year 2022 by the Federal Government to finance the Numan- Jalingo Road in Adamawa and Taraba States, adding that once the Sukuk fund is accessed shortly there would be remarkable progress at the construction site. He made the disclosure during his working tour to the rehabilitation of the road and other road projects in Taraba and Adamawa States. The Minister said that, “The 103-kilometer Numan-Jalingo Road is part of the Maiduguri –Calabar Highway. The section of the road that is not motorable is not acceptable. The road is the only connection between the North and South on the North Eastern axis of the country." Sambo said the people of Taraba State are very appreciative and delighted with the 80 housing units commissioned in Taraba State this week by President Muhammadu Buhari and they are very calm and happy with the ongoing works on township roads in Jalingo. The township roads: Hassan,Yelwa and DSS are three critical roads in Jalingo which have defied all the civilians administrations in Taraba State since 1999. Sambo said that the successful works on the internal roads in Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital has given the people the hope that this current administration is capable of delivering the Numan -Janligo Road. He remarked that he wouldn’t blame the contractor for the slow pace of work, saying it was due to the insufficient budgetary provision in the past and covid -19 pandemic that affected the progress of work. He said, however, with the current improved funding provision the contractor was expected to service its equipment and be more serious on the construction work. He added that if the company was found not to have the capacity to complete the job, government would not hesitate to terminate the contract and re-award it to a competent one. While briefing the Honorable Minister on the progress of work on the Numan- Jalingo Road Project, a Senior Civil Engineer at the site, Engr. Maria Kenneth Zirrah representative of the Federal Controller of Works Adamawa State said insecurity, lack of construction materials and funding were responsible for the slow pace of work on the road project. The Project Engineer of Deux Project Limited, the contractor for the Numan-Jalingo Road Project, Engr. Frank Koshihuk who spoke on behalf of the contractor said inflation, funding, insecurity were the major challenges on the construction of the road project. He promised that as soon as the funding pattern for the rehabilitation works improved, the work would be completed within 8months. The Minister of State also inspected the construction of Zing –Yakoko-Monkin Road in Taraba State during his 2-day working inspection visit. ...