Federal Ministry of Works

Feb

2026

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FG ACTS ON PUBLIC COMPLAINTS, ISSUES TOUGH DIRECTIVES TO CHINA HARBOUR ON ROAD PROJECTS

The Federal Government has taken decisive steps to address public complaints and enforce contractor accountability following a high-level meeting between the Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, officials of the Ministry and those of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister company, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), concessionaires on the Mararraba-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Dual Carriageway, held on Thursday, 5 February, 2026 at the Ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja.

During the meeting, several concerns relating to CHEC and CHOMC’s projects were reviewed, and firm warnings and directives were issued to safeguard public health, ensure quality delivery, and sustainability, also to protect government investment.

Engr. Umahi disclosed that the Ministry received a formal petition over the ongoing Makurdi-9th Nile-Enugu road project, where excessive dust from construction activities has continued to pose environmental and health risks to residents on the corridor. Therefore, he directed that the Permanent Secretary issue a letter to the contractor, mandating immediate dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation techniques, to be implemented. He warned that failure to resolve the issue within 7 days would lead to the project's suspension.

On the Dualisation of the Mararraba-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road, the Minister stated that although the project was started by the previous government, the present one completed some sections and tolled them. It was, however, observed that portions of the earlier completed road by the past administration were already falling. Consequently, he reiterated his previous directive that the first five (5) kilometres of the project must be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and properly re-marked, stressing that the contractor has been given seven days to commence the work.

He further directed that other identified failed sections along the Dual Carriageway be properly rehabilitated through milling and overlay, with particular attention given to poorly executed areas around the Nasarawa State University, failed bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainage channels, washouts, and constant vegetation control. In addition, he instructed that all road furnishings be reinstated after the maintenance works.

Engr. Umahi emphasised the need for improved highway safety management, directing the contractor to strengthen corridor monitoring and ensure the prompt removal of stationary vehicles to prevent obstruction and accidents on the Highways.

Whilst expressing deep concern over the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, he noted that site mobilisation remains insufficient despite repeated engagements with the contractor at the site and in Abuja. He highlighted that substantial mobilisation funds have already been paid to CHEC, yet key machineries have not been deployed with minimal site clearance being carried out. In this regard, he also warned that “If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds and take firm contractual action.”

The Minister made it abundantly clear that the Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR will no longer tolerate poor execution, delays, or disregard for agreed standards, stressing that warning letters, withholding of certificates, and broader contractual consequences will be applied, where necessary.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains responsive to public concerns and committed to protecting lives, infrastructure integrity, and getting value for public funds. He informed that President Tinubu is determined to enforce accountability and break away from practices that undermine national development.

Highlighting the administration’s inheritance of projects, Engr. Umahi stated that the government inherited 2,064 ongoing projects valued at more than ₦13 trillion as of May 29, 2023, excluding those on the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. Despite funding constraints, road construction and rehabilitation are progressing nationwide, he confirmed. While acknowledging that the entire federal road network cannot be completed within a single term of four years, the Minister expressed confidence that sustained tempo over the next five years would significantly transform Nigeria’s infrastructure. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to massively vote for President Tinubu in 2027, in order to continue enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth and much more.

Responding on behalf of the management of the two companies, the Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Mr. Stephen Lee promised that industry-standard anti-dust measures will be taken on all construction sites, adequate mobilisation and full commencement of work on the 7th Axial
Road and the rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Mararraba-Lafia road.

The Minister concluded by reiterating that contractors must either meet agreed standards or face firm consequences, as the Federal Government remains resolute in delivering safe and durable road infrastructure to Nigerians.

Jan

2024

WORKS MINISTER DEBUNKS CLAIM OF FRAUDULENT PAYMENT OF FUNDS TO A MICTOFINANCE BANK, SAYS IT IS A DISTRACTION * To work with Governors to certify job completion before payment to contractors The Honourable Minister of Works Sen. Engr. Nweke David Umahi, CON, has debunked the claim that funds for construction of roads was fraudulently paid into a Microfinance Bank contrary to extant regulations. According to the Honourable Minister, “Let me also use the opportunity to debunk something that is ongoing in the social media. I don't know what they call the group, Is it Tracta Budgit or something which claims they're monitoring the budget of federal government; said that we paid 8.7 billion to the microfinance bank. Speaking to some journalists today in Rivers State during the inspection of the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway being reconstructed by Arab Contractors Ltd, Sen. Umahi disclosed that the organisation “went ahead and said, that the 8.7 billion were paid against a number of projects in Ekiti State, in Kaduna State, Kastina State and Borno State between June and September, 2023. The Honourable Minister while debunking further the erroneous claim by Tracka Budgit stated that as at June 2023, “he was in the Senate. So, if they are correct, it means the contracts would have been awarded while I was still a Governor, so not a minister.” Concerning the payments to a Microfinance bank, the Minister explained that as at July, “I was in the Senate Up to the 20th of August”. He, however explained concerning the payments to a Microfinance Bank that “when a contractor has done his or her work, the money becomes his money. He can say pay it to any bank of his choice." Sen. David Umahi described as very mischievous the claim by the organisation stating that they should have investigated “whether the job was done, that is the only right they have. But they don't have the right to say where a contractor will say his money will be paid. He submitted therefore that “whether it's paid in microfinance bank or macrofinance bank, what is paramount to establish if the funds were rightly paid for good work done.” The Honourable Minister averred that it was an attempt to distract his commitment to delivering on the Renewd Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for the road sector development in Nigeria. “And so, it's just a distraction. And then, some of the bank contractors are using them to fight back. But I refuse to be distracted, he restated. On his efforts to ensure quality delivery of road projects through partnership with the States, Sen. Umahi said “let me also say that in all the states, it's our policy that the state governors, through their appointed officials, must mark off any project, especially the emergency, palliative projects. According to him “when a contractor has completed a job, no matter how big it is, my advice is for the state governor to come to the site and look at it and then mark off the job before he gets to office for payment. He strongly affirmed that “Where this procedure is not done, I will not sign any generated certificate”. ...

Jan

2024

PRESIDENT TINUBU'S ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLUTION ON COURSE, DIRECTS RELEASE OF FUND TO TACKLE CRITICAL ROADS IN ALL THE GEO-POLITICAL ZONES OF THE FEDERATION The Hon. Minister of Works has reassured Nigerians that the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is on course in it's determination to rejig the road infrastructure which is a key catalyst for the actualization of the needed economic growth and development of our nation. The Hon Minister gave this indication in Markurdi, Benue State on 25th January 2024 during his inspection visit to the Keffi- Akwanga- Lafia-Makurdi road reconstruction project via Maraba, New karu, Asokoro, Ado, Goran road, the Lafia By-pass and the dualization of the Markurdi- Otukpo - 9th Mile Enugu road projects. He thanked the President of Nigeria for approving the release of funds for the commencement of work on the critical highways across the six goe-political zones, including the Abuja- Kaduna- Zaria - Kano highway, the Lagos- Ibadan expressway and the two by-pass roads at the 2nd Niger Bridge. ”So let me use this opportunity to also thank Mr. President. Just about three days ago, he approved that work should immediately commence in many sections; in Abuja,- Kaduna,-Zaria- Kano road. It's a very good and cheering news for me. We were having some problems with funding. But Mr. President has solved that problem and directed the immediate release of funds so that the projects will continue. The same thing is applicable to the Lagos Ibadan and the 2nd Niger Bridge two bypasses. Mr. President has directed the immediate release of money for the projects. As you see me, I am rejoicing like a newborn baby.” Speaking during the inspection visit to the Markurdi axis of the road, the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Alia called for support to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.He described the President's national development plan as purposeful and progressive and with the propensity of promoting sustainable and stable national development. He praised the new spirit of dedication and quality service delivery in the Federal Ministry of Works and expressed hope that Nigeria would experience a new dawn in road infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope administration. ”We are quite pleased that you are beginning the second phase of Abuja- Keffi - Lafia 9th Mile Enugu road. I'm very excited to hear that you have already incorporated the prayers we presented to you" "We thank Mr. President for his thoughtfulness and good heart for the common masses. He's someone who doesn't like to see people suffer. He spends sleepless nights to ensure that we get it right at this administration. We remain quite indebted to him.” The Honourable Minister of Works undertook a driving distance of about 446 Km from Abuja to Enugu through the bad spots of Otukpo- Nsukka- Uboloafor Enugu road and that afforded him the opportunity to give policy direction to the Engineers and contractors on site on the new initiatives on scopping and construction and on the dimensions of Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). He also identified areas within the major junctions of the road project that require flyovers, especially the axis after Abacha Barracks in Abuja and the Markurdi axis of the road project, where road users experience heavy traffic. ...

Jan

2024

WORKS MINISTER, SEN UMAHI HARPS ON PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN BRIDGING THE GAP ON FINANCING OF NIGERIA'S ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE, MEETS GOVERNOR KEFAS OF TARABA STATE, ALHAJI ALIKO DANGOTE AND HON. NDUDI GODWIN ELUMELU In keeping with the road infrastructure initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been engaging with concessionaires and other private sector organizations on the need for private sector investment on our road infrastructure as done in advanced economies of the world. This informed the closed door meeting the Hon. Minister of Works had with the Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group of Conglomerates, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, and Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, former Minority Leader, Federal House of Representatives. It would be recalled that the Hon. Minister of Works in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria had set up three committees to work on the contracts executed by some concessionaires with the Federal Ministry of Works with a view to reviewing the scope and cost implications of the projects they undertook to execute under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). This private sector initiative will fastrack road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of Federal Highways. The Governor of Taraba who retired as a military professional was a one-time chairman Governing Board of Directors Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) before he became Governor. The founder and CEO Dangote Group is one of Africa's foremost captains of industry who have made ambitious investments in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria and he has shown manifest commitment in the transformation of Nigeria's infrastructure through long- term investment in strategic sectors of Nigeria's economy, including financial services, and infrastructure development. Hon Ndudi G. Elumelu is a well-travelled politician and contemporary public administrator, and also a product of Harvard Business School, Boston. It is hoped that investors, local and international, and other organized bodies would take advantage of the will power of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope administration and the private sector experience and professional capacities of the Hon. Minister of Works to invest in the over 35,000 Km of the national road network being managed by Federal Government of Nigeria as this road network carries more than 70% of the vehicular traffic, making it a critical infrastructure for the movement of goods and services across the nation. This initiative will trigger economic development, job creation, local content development and wealth creation for Nigerian population. Mr. President mean business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of the African continent. Your support is critical. ...

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2025

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Jan

2021

FG’S Intervention On Roads Has Improved The Quality Of Learning In Our Institutions- Prof. Angela Miri

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Prof. Angela Miri, has lauded Federal Government for the construction of internal road in the University which she said had improved the quality of learning in the institution.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the roads to the institution by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Tuesday 26th January, 2021 in Lokoja, Miri said that the road has not only made vehicular and human movement within the university easy but added value as well as placing it above its equals within the country in terms of provision of infrastructure.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the University Librarian to the institution, Mrs. Sarah Daura Yank, further requested that the Minister of Works and Housing should consider replicating this gesture of constructing internal roads network at the University’s Permanent site at Felele Lokoja, Kogi State.

“The extension of roads infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary institutions by the Federal government will create a conducive learning environment that will improve attainment of qualitative education in Nigeria.” She added.
In his speech, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN disclosed that the 1.67 kilometers road was constructed by his ministry at the institution to improve learning.

Mr. Fashola, who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Kogi State, Engr. Kajogbola Olatunde, said that availability of good infrastructure in a learning environment would enhance students’ morale towards learning and the quality of education acquired by them.

He said: "It is un- debatable that quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from the students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place."

He noted that though the road projects might be civil works, they are investment in education, adding that the students' zeal to attend classes have been renewed because of the restoration of the deplorable roads within the institutions.

"A point must be made that although this is a civil works project, it is an investment in education and the students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to good condition," Fashola stated.

He explained: "Currently, there are 43 number of road interventions within tertiary institution across Nigeria" and "to date 29 No. of the road intervention projects have been completed with 17 already handed over in 2020. Today we handover this one in Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State as a critical intervention to support education."

According to Fashola, the Infrastructure gap in the country was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and now it had reached the schools. Pointing out that the road construction was part of the Federal Government’s Tertiary Institutions Internal Road Intervention Programme and was supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The Minister said that the construction work was not only impactful on the learning environment but had also provided employment opportunities for Nigerians in line with the present administration's vision of creating jobs for Nigerians.

"During the construction 25 people were employed in the process thereby contributing to the job creation initiative of the present government," he said.

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Aug

2018

Ensuring Value For Money In Nigerian Highways Development Being Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, San At The National Council On Works, Held In Kebbi

On behalf of the State Commissioners and other Members of Council, I express the appreciation of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the Government and People of Kebbi State for hosting our Council Meeting and for doing so under very hospitable circumstances, in Birnin Kebbi.

Apart from being the home of famous Emirates like Gwandu, Yauri, Zuru, Argungu to mention a few, Kebbi State has come to the centre stage in Nigeria’s developmental history, especially at this time when Governor Atiku Bagudu is providing visionary, developmental and progressive leadership.

Statesmen, not big men, as former Governors, former Chief Judges have rallied around their Governor and Government to pursue a common goal of development.

From Agriculture, to Roads, Housing to Power, whenever it is partnership for Development, Atiku Bagudu will be found making the strongest case for why Kebbi must be involved. This remarkable and inspiring leadership must be acknowledged.

It is in this environment of developmental focus that we converge for the 24th National Council for Works to discuss development around getting “Value for Money in Nigerian Highways”.

Ladies and gentlemen, I found this topic appealing to this Council because of some of the assumptions that have been made about Cost of Roads in Nigeria, the questions I have had to answer, posed by people who ought to know, and because I hope to generate a more informed conversation about the matter.

It is my expectation that in each State, we will be sufficiently interested to interrogate issues like the source of value, where it lies and how to get the best out of it.

Therefore, I would like to start by asking the question why Nigeria has bad roads after almost a decade of prolific receipts from oil boom when oil prices were at $100 per barrel.

The answer is partly because we did not invest our money in Roads in the way that the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, to mention a few oil-exporting countries, have done.

To the extent that Roads are assets that live for longer periods of time and deliver collective National Benefit in terms of movement of goods and services and contribution to the GDP, clearly, it is doubtful that we got optimum value for those oil incomes between 2007 and 2015.

In other words, instead of investing our oil receipts in Roads, and long-term assets, of infrastructure, we spent the money on recurrent items of expenditure.

This is clearly discernible from the Annual Federal Budgets of that era, where the maximum provision for Capital Expenditure struggled to exceed 20%, when they seldom went beyond the threshold of 15%; and what was ultimately released by way of cash was scarcely ever in excess of 50%.

The result of these, of course was that by 2015 when I took office, there were over 200 roads whose contract values were in excess of N2 trillion and for which payments had only cumulated to about N500 billion.

Some of these roads had been awarded for upwards of 10 (ten) years. Inadequate budget and funding had delayed their completion. Many sites had been abandoned, workers laid off, equipment grounded.

This was where the Buhari Government picked up. With significantly lower oil incomes, we got the contractors back to site one after the other. We raised the budget size from N4 Trillion to N6 Trillion in 2016 and increased capital spending to 30%; which was funded by borrowing to finance the deficit.

For those who wanted roads to be fixed and those who did not want the nation to borrow, there is no middle ground. You either borrow to invest in tomorrow’s infrastructure at today’s prices, or wait until you can do it tomorrow at tomorrow’s price.

Our reality today is that the roads that were awarded 10 years ago and were not funded then have to be funded at today’s prices of money, interest rates, and at today’s prices of cement, iron rod, laterite and labour wages.

Clearly, we lost not only the value of money not properly invested, we lost value in the cost of doing business without good roads. We lost value in productivity by men and machine that became redundant.

While we cannot recover what is lost, we must not lose what is ahead; in this regard, I am happy to say that the Buhari Government is investing wisely and sensibly in the infrastructure that will drive Nigeria’s tomorrow.

From Rail to Ports, Power and Roads, this administration is resolute in its determination to complete ongoing or abandoned projects. Today, there is no State in Nigeria where the Federal Government of Nigeria is not executing one Road Project.

Hon. Commissioner has confirmed in his address Roads being executed in Kebbi. He wants more , the Buhari Government is ready to do more. It is in your hands to bring him back.

Undoubtedly, we have done more with less. This is the meaning of value. But there are other challenges that we must work together to improve upon in order to remove avoidable costs from Road and related infrastructure development.

A) Land issues, compensation, and court cases compound the cost of construction.

B) Conflicts, security breaches, pose risks to construction workers, which escalates costs in many ways, such as insurance, payment of security personnel, delays to project completion, to mention a few;

C) The absence of uniform Public Sector Procurement Prices;

D) Proper project planning, development and supervision;

E) Post-construction maintenance of scheduled and unscheduled natures to achieve asset life cycle expectation and performance; ( Bridges – Tamburawa, Tatabu, Third Mainland, Niger Bridge, Koton Karfe , Ijora, Isaac Boro).

F) Dispute resolution mechanisms as a means of achieving cost efficiency in road construction and achieving value for money, must be interrogated;

G) Government Treasury Operations and Payment Systems, review and reform will contribute to achieving better value for money in Road Development Project.

H) Increasing local content in Nigeria Road Construction and implementing Presidential Order 5.

Ladies and Gentlemen, these are only some of the items of avoidable costs around which we should have a conversation and a resolution if we are to achieve better value for money.

Each one of them is a full subject of debate in itself.

It is my expectation that many sections of the construction industry will rise up to the challenges inherent in improving each of the areas I have highlighted.

I make myself ready to contribute and participate upon reasonable notice.

Thank you for listening and I wish us very fruitful deliberations.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works, and Housing

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Jun

2025

DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE

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Apr

2025

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

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