The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has clarified that the Federal Ministry of Works did not award the Abuja–Kaduna Road contract to Mikano International Limited. The Minister stated that the contract was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, in line with due procurement processes and transparency standards. The Minister made this clarification while briefing journalist on 12 Febuary, 2026 in the Ministry Confrence Room in Mabushi Abuja, also drawing public attention to the increasing rate of vandalisation of critical road infrastructure across the country. He noted that the Ministry has a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to protect national infrastructure from destruction. Engr. Umahi expressed serious concern over widespread vandalism affecting roads, bridges, and related infrastructure nationwide. He cited recent cases along the Lagos Coastal Road corridor, where protective structures and road components have been deliberately damaged. According to the Minister, flooding recorded in some sections of the coastal highway was largely caused by blockage of underground drainage channels with refuse, emphasizing the need for public cooperation in maintaining infrastructure. He commended the Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the Nigeria Police for deploying personnel to safeguard critical infrastructure and combat vandalism. Parking of heavy trucks on bridges creates structural stress, as bridges are not designed for static heavy loads. He disclosed that some offenders have already been arrested and are being prosecuted. The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s adoption of reinforced concrete road technology, which is expected to last between 50 and 100 years, compared to traditional asphalt roads. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for supporting long-term infrastructure development and for approving several strategic road projects nationwide. The Minister announced the He added that Progress on major legacy road corridors including routes connecting Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri. The Federal Government is considering stronger policies and collaboration with private sector partners and state governments to improve road maintenance and enforce compliance against illegal road obstructions and structures. Addressing the status of NNPCL-funded road projects initiated under Executive Order 007 (April–May 2023), the Minister clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will no longer directly pay contractors for these projects. He announced that the Federal Ministry of Works has officially taken over both project supervision and payment responsibilities, in line with new federal directives. Sen. Umahi further revealed that the Federal Government inherited 6,604 ongoing federal road and bridge projects nationwide, with a projected ₦16.9 trillion required for their completion. He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all inherited projects must be completed, stressing that infrastructure development remains a top priority of the administration. The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of these projects, assuring Nigerians that the government is determined to deliver quality infrastructure that meets international standards. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, In his closing remarks, thanked members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to national development.
WORKS MINISTRY DID NOT AWARD ABUJA–KADUNA ROAD CONTRACT TO MIKANO – UMAHI CLARIFIES
Extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road by 8.7km to link the East–West Road, using concrete pavement technology.
Expansion of CCTV surveillance on major bridges and highways to curb vandalism and enhance monitoring.
The Minister emphasized that federal road projects are distributed based on national development priorities, not regional considerations. He called on Nigerians to support national unity and protect public assets.
The Honorable Minister disclosed that ₦127 billion has been released by Mr. President for the continuation of these projects, underscoring the administration’s commitment to completing inherited infrastructure initiatives. He noted that an estimated ₦7 trillion will be required to complete all NNPCL-funded projects, describing them as critical to national connectivity and economic development.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and urged the public and media to verify facts and provide constructive feedback to support improved service delivery.
More Rural Communities To Get Access To Electricity - Fashola The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola says the Federal Government is determined to the provide critical infrastructure that will boost the economy as well as impact positively on lives of Nigerians. The Minister revealed that more rural communities are having access to electricity by the policy of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. He made the remark when he received in audience, the the Village Head of Gora Community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state in his office. The delegation was led by Hajia Kareen Fatimah Mohammed. He said “One of the reasons I have you here is that you are the faces of electricity under this Administration: Dozen communities are having access to electricity whether on mini grid or off grid like Gora community and this demonstrates that the government is working”. Fashola further revealed that the rural electrification plan enabled government to access about 200 million dollars to run a pilot in 70 communities in 5 States of the federation, adding that the data of the communities yet to access electricity would be gathered so as to ultimately extend access to them. He explained that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is running an all-inclusive government by also appointing young people to leadership positions. He also said that young Nigerians under 40 years of age presently constitute the membership of the Board of the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency (NREA) including the Managing Director, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, starting that “it is the young people who have done the work, the unsung heroes of Buhari’s government”. Fashola said that apart from providing electricity to the Community, they are also connected to roads, rail and bridges, maintaining that “what is good for the people in the cities, must be good for people in the rural communities”. He pointed out that the rural and farming communities are “the most critical pillars of diversity of Nigerian government, being treasures store of food and construction materials.” The Minister pointed out that Nigerians are now more united than ever before, adding that the projects such as this has connected men, women and communities across Nigeria, citing the case of Hajia Kareem Mohammed who though hails from Gombe State, yet solicited for electricity for Gora Communities where her farm is located. Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hajia Mohammed and the Head of Gora Community, Alhaji Jafaru Adamu took turns to appreciate the government, saying that the communities have benefited immersely in improved education, health and day to day activities of the people. Alhaji Adamu, however requested that the solar power be extended to other communities in the State ...
Nigerians Will Remain Grateful To The Fallen Heroes - Fashola The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has Stated that Nigerians will remain ever grateful by remembering the supreme sacrifice paid by our brothers and sister who laid down their lives for the service of our father’s land, Nigeria. Fashola made the statement, on Monday, in his Mabushi office when he received in audience the National Planning Committee of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) 2019 who decorated him and also commended him for his immense contributions during the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration. While been decorated alongside the Minister of State 1 for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Fashola noted that the seeming peace which is being enjoyed in Nigeria is as a result of commitment and sacrifices of our fallen heroes who fought gallantly and fearlessly to defend the integrity of our father land. He however commended the Nigeria Armed Forces for being combatant ready and for exhibiting professionalism at all times. The Minister maintained that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is an important event which should be made more elaborate by calling on all well-meaning Nigerians, friends and well-wishers to contribute generously to an endowment fund that will cater for the families who lost their beloved ones. He also suggested for an improved production and redesigning of the Emblem so as to be more appealing to the eyes while the basics and the fundamental messages remains. Earlier , Major Issa Abdulhamid who represented the Chairman , National Planning Committee of the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, Major General Edward Chijioke Obi, disclosed that the reason of their visit was to identify with the Ministers in order to raise funds for the families of our fallen heroes and by so doing alleviate their plight and predicaments. Major Abdulhamid also thanked the Ministers for attending to members of his committee in spite of their busy schedules. ...
FG To Carry Out Remedial Works In Major Arterial Roads Across The Country- Fashola The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has disclosed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N1.85b to carry out remedial works on the major arterial roads across the country for ease of movement and also reduce travelling hours during the ember festive period. He said that money will be released to the 37 Federal Controllers of Works to effectively carry out the reconstruction works in the identified heavy traffic routes frequently used. Fashola stated this while declaring open the Capacity Building Workshop for the Federal Controllers of Works with the theme: “Learning and Development for Greater Stature”, organized by the Ministry recently in Kaduna. The Minister encouraged the Federal Controllers to apply the principle of emotional intelligence and project management taught during the workshop, adding that Zonal Directors of Works from the Ministry would be deplored to all the zones to oversee their activities and performances during this period. Speaking earlier at the workshop, the Coordinator and Director Highways, North East Zone, Engr. Rufai Mohammed, said that part of the aims of the workshop was to discuss ways to tackle the challenges of the ember months and make necessary repairs where applicable. He noted that the workshop was to enable them achieve the set goals and accomplish government programmes and get value for money. In a related development, the Minister also visited the Kaduna Power Plant project site to assess the progress of work aimed at providing additional 215 megawatt to the nation’s power grid. He expressed satisfaction on the level and quality of job being carried out in the last one year. ...
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1