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.

Aug

2019

Our Priority Investments In Infrastructure Paying Off - President Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration’s investment in infrastructure like rails, roads, bridges and waterways have started yielding positive results with tangible evidence for all to see. Speaking at the commissioning of the reconstructed Shinkafi-Yandaki-Gafiya—Abdallawa-Dankaba road in Katsina, as part of activities during his visit to the state, the President said the special attention given to infrastructure by his administration will be intensified, since the investments had been justified with more people benefiting. “Infrastructure is vital to economic development. As you are aware, this administration has given special attention to infrastructural transformation of our country. “This is in consonance with the change philosophy of the administration. Such projects and programs form part of our contribution to national development, which are tangible for all to see,” he said. He commended the strategy by Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s administration to make roads motorable throughout the year for citizens, adding “we all know that the economy of Katsina State is agrarian. Our wealth is farming and livestock rearing. Hence the need to open it up through and across all communities so as to maximally tap the abundant agricultural and livestock resources the state is endowed with.” In his remark, Governor Masari said the government “had all along been mindful of the need for infrastructural development across the nooks and crannies of the state.’’ He said the decision had “efficiently and effectively facilitated smooth movement of people, goods and services on trade and commerce, not only within Katsina State but across other neighbouring states.’’ The governor noted that the economy of the state and wellbeing of the people had improved with the focus on infrastructure. President Buhari will commission more projects in the state on Thursday. ...

Jul

2019

Perm Sec Works And Housing Urge Civil Servants To Be More Productive And Goal Oriented The Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, urged staff of the Ministry to be goal oriented and more productive with their time. This was at the Productivity Lecture series organized by the National Productivity Centre (NPC) in conjunction with the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, for middle level officers in Abuja. The Perm Sec who was represented by the Deputy Director (HRM) Mrs. Aderonke Jaiyesimi, said in furtherance to transforming the Public Service, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had fashioned out initiatives such as efficient, productivity, incorruptible and citizen-centred transformation programme. The concept of Productivity according to her was crucial to the success of the Public Service and an epicentre in the current reforms programme of the present Administration; It is a level of efficiency in combing inputs to achieve maximum output by employees in the work places. She therefore urged the participants to embrace knowledge through interacting with the resource persons to make the desired impact on their jobs which would be beneficial to the Ministry in the long run. Speaking at the Lecture, Director, Current Affairs and Information, National Productivity Centre, Mal. Hassan Abdullahi buttressed the fact that productivity was an attitude of the mind and therefore required “doing the right thing and doing things right”. The key words were efficiency, effectiveness, quality, competitiveness and motivation. He further recommended the adoption of the Japanese 5s Housekeeping Practice tools - Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize and Sustain to improve productivity in the work place. He added that the staff productivity level could increase through managing their time, working smarter, improving the efficiency level, getting organized, encouraging teamwork as well as setting SMART targets. Papers presented at the Lecture were Overview of Productivity and Time Management for improved productivity and the objective of the programme was to stimulate the awareness of staff to the imperative of sharpening their competencies for improved productivity and efficient service delivery. ...

May

2019

Please Complete The Good Works We’ve Started - Fasola Charges Staff The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has urged the management and staff of his Ministry to try as much as possible and complete the outstanding works he did not finish from 11th of November he resumed office till his exit on 28th May 2019. He also enjoined them not to undermine President Mohammadu Buhari’s quest to deliver quality service to Nigerians in his next level to improve and move the economy forward. Fashola gave the charge today in his Ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja during the valedictory Meeting the Management Staff held in his honour and that of the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri. Fasola and Shehuri respectively commended the Permanent Secretary (Works and Housing Sector), Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, his counterpart, (Power Sector), Engr. Louis Edozien, the Management and Staff of the Ministry for the co-operation and support given to them during their tenure as Ministers. While appealing for forgiveness from Staff whose toes were stepped on in the course of carrying out their duties, the Ministers appealed for extension of support and co-operation to anyone that might be appointed as the next Minister, stressing that government is a continuum. The various Directors and Heads of Agencies in the Ministry who delivered goodwill messages saluted Fashola and Shehuri for their team spirit, doggedness, resourcefulness and innovativeness in carrying out the mandate of the Ministry. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (Works and Housing), Alhaji Mohammed Bukar extoled both Fashola and Shehuri for superintending and piloting the affairs of the Ministry in the most efficient manner which ushered in an increase and unprecedented increase in the budgetary allocation of the Ministry. In his closing remark, Engr. Louis Edozien stated that the two Ministers had left legacies and indelible marks on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing so difficult and challenging to surpass in the near future. He prayed that the Almighty God will continue to guide and strengthen them in their future endeavours. ...