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.

Dec

2020

COVID 19: Works Ministry Disinfects Complex, Urges Staff to Strictly Observe Protocol The entire building complex of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Mabushi Abuja had over the weekend been disinfected against the second raging wave of the Covid 19 in the Country. The Offices and surrounding of the building complex in both work and housing blocks have been disinfected and fumigated to stem the rising wave of the Corona virus which hit the Country of recent, with Lagos and Abuja FCT being the worst hit cities in the world. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Ernest Umakhihe said that the Minister Babatunde Fashola approved that the Ministry should not leave anything to chance in the current fight against the virus as such directed with immediate effect that all necessary Covid 19 preventive measures be put in place in the Ministry. To this effect, the Ministry has provided hand washing facilities and sanitisers in all offices and temperature check at relevant public places in the complex, in addition to displaying at strategic places the Covid 19 protocol requirements for public guidance. It would be recalled that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Musa Bello has reissued directives to all residents of FCT, offices and commercial environments to guard against violating the safety measures put in place by the NCDC since June 2020. Of recent also, some States including Lagos and Niger States have already directed their Civil Servants to work from home as a result of resurgence of COVID 19 Mr Umakhihe therefore directed Staff of the Ministry to ensure wearing of face masks in and outside their offices and also adhere to all the existing safety measures put in place by the NCDC ...

Dec

2020

How We Are Mitigating the Impact of Covid 19 - Fashola The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has revealed the contribution of his Ministry to the efforts of the Federal Government to overcome the economic downturn occasioned by the impact of Covid 19. Fashola made this disclosure in his address at the 26th National Council on Works in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State which took place from December 7- 11,2020. Fashola said the impact of the disease on livelihood and the global economy led countries across the globe to design and implement measures and policies to keep their economies going and reflate them. The Minister said the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari developed the Economic Sustainability Plan in order to provide work, increase opportunities and sustain productivity with the Ministry of Works and Housing as one of the focal MDAS for the implementation of the policy. Fashola said by May, 2020 11 of the biggest contractors of government returned to work in 26 states in addition to maintenance work by the Federal Road Maintenence Agency in 92 locations across 24 states of the Federation. All these according to Fashola contributed greatly to economic recovery with an increase of 41.81% in7 quarrying and other mineral deposits, 11.96% in cement manufacturing and 2.64% in construction. He added that there is an increase in wealth distribution as a result of increased economic activities and job creation in communities where construction works are going on. In his speech, the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike who expressed happiness over the opportunity given to his state to host the event said, "Because most developed countries understand the critical link between transport infrastructure and economic advancement, they have successfully built their economic prosperity on the back of investing in adequate and modern transport infrastructure." Governor Wike said Nigeria cannot be an exception if it must realise basic developmental goals and make life more meaningful for the people. The Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aliero in his remarks commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Buhari for initiating various financial mechanisms such as the SUKUK Fund, the Presidential Initiative on Infrastructure Development Fund for road construction and rehabilitation to complement budgetary provisions which was grossly inadequate. He expressed the determination of the National Assembly to continue to support the developmental initiatives of the government. ...

Dec

2020

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Complete All Iconic Road Projects Across the Country The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to complete on-going iconic road infrastructure across the country. The Permanent Secretary made this known this morning while delivering a speech at the on-going 26th National Council on Works in Port Harcourt, Rivers State which started on Monday, December 7, 2020. Mr Umakhihe said, "The Federal Government is committed to completing some iconic projects such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, Bodo-Bonny Road, Abuja-Kaduna- Kano Express Way and Obajana-Kabba Road in Kogi State." "In the same vein, Government is also committed to completing the Sukuk Bond financed roads projects across the six geo-political zones of the country and maintain schedule maintenance of 5,000 kilometers of roads annually." He disclosed that the Ministry has over 700 on-going road projects across the country including road intervention projects in higher institutions of learning. Mr. Umakhihe explained that the commitment of government was premised on the determination to reduce poverty by creating wealth through road infrastructure development in both rural and urban areas of the country, adding that the objective of this year's Council was to propose viable actions to impact positively on national economic development in the country. Earlier in his address, the Rivers State Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi Esq stated that the Rivers State Government was delighted to host the meeting because the theme of the Council meeting echoed one of the policy thrust of the Rivers State Government, which is road infrastructure development. Citing the saying of the Chinese thus "If you want to be rich, build roads first" the Commissioner said his state government was aware that every positive step taken in the area of road infrastructure development impacts on the entire nation and its citizens. Tasie- Amadi further said the indices upon which the development of a nation is judged are based on the happenings in the states that make up the nation added that Rivers State Government was adding value to the development of the nation. He said, "For every infrastructure project we embark upon, we are fully aware that these contribute to the National Economic Growth be it a state or federal project." The Council meeting continues tomorrow with the meeting of Commissioners of Works in the 36 States and FCT to be Chaired by the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. ...