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.

Sep

2021

FG Begins Immediate Repairs On Sections Affected By Flooding In Five States * Others to receive attention soon. The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN Tuesday directed the immediate Emergency Repairs on Sections where failure had occurred due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall in five states across the country. Fashola who gave the directive at a briefing meeting in Abuja named the roads for immediate intervention to include Ibadan – Ife Road, Gombe – Bauchi Road, Gombe – Darazo; Bauchi – Ningi, Bida – Lambata, and Tsamiya bridge in Jigawa State, also assured of continuous attention to other roads with similar problems. The Minister said that the Federal government is committed to infrastructure development and will respond promptly to complaints from citizens. He however, appealed to commuters to be patient with the government as the excessive rains being witnessed has negative effect on road construction and rehabilitation. He expressed his Ministry’s commitment to do all within its means to ease the hardship of commuters. ...

Sep

2021

FG Has Not Abandoned Birnin - Yauri- Rijau- Zuru -Daki Takwas Road The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMW& H) has assured the road users of her commitment to fix Birnin -Yauri- Rijau- Zuru -Daki -Takwas Road in Kebbi State and make it safe for the public as, H & M Nigeria Limited, a Civil Engineering Company, Kau International (Nig) Ltd and Great Northern International Construction Company were engaged by the Ministry to deliver the project as proposed. Speaking, on the receipt of a report from road users that the Federal Government has abandoned the road, the Director, Highway Construction and Rehabilitation (FMW& H), Engr. Folorunsho Esan noted that, although the contractors had achieved various levels of progress but had suspended activities due to challenges poised by banditry, however with the reduction in activities of bandits in the area, all the contractors have decided to resume work on site. While commending the understanding of the motorists over the temporary stoppage of construction works and its attendant inconveniences, the Federal Government assures the members of the public and the road users that, all necessary supports will be put in place to ensure that the road is delivered on scheduled. ...

Aug

2021

Minister Assures Motorists For Prompt Intervention On Gashua - Potiskum Damaged Road Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr Abubakar Aliyu has assured motorists plying the Gashua-Potiskum axis of prompt intervention by the government to restore to normal the flood damaged parts of the road. The Minister disclosed this during an on-the - spot assessment of the portions of the road damaged by the flood, assuring motorists that government is already taking urgent steps to remedy the situation. Engr Aliyu spoke through the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engr Olusegun B. Akinmade, whom he delegated to visit the site said the Gasua-Potiskum Federal highway was recently damaged by massive flooding as a result of heavy downpour. " The ministry would deploy the relevant agency to attend to the affected parts of the road in no time" he said, adding that the most affected part of the highway is a stretch between Garin Gada to Tarajim along the Gashua-Potiskum highway. While commending the understanding of the motorists over the incidence and its attendant inconveniences, Engr Aliyu reaffirmed that the federal government would do all it could to remedy the situation as well as taking measures of averting future occurrences. He said " President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to road infrastructure is unprecedented, as evidenced by his administration’s huge investments in road reconstruction and rehabilitation across the country" . Accordingly, the Minister said the prompt assessment of the damaged portion of the highway is a demonstration of the leadership commitment of his ministry working round the clock to deliver on its mandate. Yobe State Commissioner for Works, Engr Umaru Wakili Duddaye, was among the team that inspected the damaged portion. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted that about 25 states, including Yobe, would experience flood in 2021 ...