Federal Ministry of Works

Jul

2026

LATEST PRESS

PRESIDENT TINUBU REITERATES COMMITMENT TO QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY AT THE 34TH COREN ENGINEERING ASSEMBLY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has reaffirmed the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, promoting quality infrastructure, and safeguarding public safety across Nigeria.

Represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, *Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE *, while declaring open the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly, the President described the Assembly’s theme, *"Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulatory Enforcement and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime,"* as timely and relevant to the nation’s developmental aspirations.

The President stated that engineering remains the backbone of national development and that effective regulatory enforcement is essential for protecting lives, ensuring quality infrastructure, and restoring public confidence in the engineering profession.

He stressed that regulations are not intended to punish professionals but to protect public interest, noting that *” no road, bridge, or building is more valuable than human life.”*

President Tinubu assured participants that his administration remains fully committed to completing the four (4) Legacy Road Projects across the six geopolitical zones, under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He described them as strategic investments that will transform the nation’s economy, improve connectivity, and stimulate sustainable development.

The Honourable Minister of Works commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for choosing an apt theme that aligns with the Federal Government’s vision for quality infrastructure delivery and adherence to public safety.

He noted that engineering is a profession where mistakes can cost human lives, emphasising that, unlike many other professions, there is often no opportunity for appeal after a structural failure. He, therefore, called for stronger regulations, strict enforcement, and effective sanctions against unqualified practitioners and professionals, who compromise ethics and standards.

Engr. Umahi stressed that site engineers must discharge their responsibilities professionally and should never allow contractors to dictate engineering decisions. He urged Council to strengthen its disciplinary mechanisms, similar to other professional regulatory bodies, to ensure that only qualified engineers are allowed to practice.

The Minister highlighted the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, especially the ongoing Legacy Road Projects spread across all the geopolitical zones, designed to improve economic integration, enhance national security, create employment opportunities, and stimulate investment.

He expressed confidence that with continued discipline, transparency, and adherence to engineering ethos, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit would be significantly reduced within the coming years.

Presenting the *Keynote Address* on behalf of the Honourable Minister, the *Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan,* stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda places infrastructure development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation. He explained that the Ministry is implementing four major Legacy Projects across the geopolitical zones to connect communities, promote commerce, improve national integration, and encourage investment.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that quality assurance, competence, professionalism, and independence amongst stakeholders remain fundamental requirements for sustainable infrastructure development. He urged engineers to uphold ethical standards, comply strictly with engineering regulations and best practices, and strengthen resilience through adherence to due process

The Chairman of the occasion, *Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON,* represented by *Prof. Hassan Umaru* described the Assembly as timely and significant, noting that engineering excellence remains the foundation of public trust, industrial competitiveness, and national development.

He observed that every infrastructure project must be executed according to approved standards and maintained throughout its lifespan. Drawing from the experience of the *Dangote Refinery* project, he explained that rigorous engineering design, quality control, technical discipline, and strict compliance with standards were critical to its successful delivery.

The Chairman called for sustained excellence within the engineering profession and urged COREN to continue strengthening regulatory frameworks, while enforcing disciplinary measures against erring practitioners, in order to safeguard lives and property.

In his *Welcome Address,* the *President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, FNSE,* outlined the Council’s statutory responsibility of regulating engineering education and practice in Nigeria, in line with international standards and recommended practices.

He explained that engineering graduates are expected to undergo mandatory industrial training before participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing practical exposure as critical to professional competence.

Prof. Abubakar further disclosed that COREN has successfully introduced digital verification and enforcement systems to improve transparency, eliminate fraudulent practices, and strengthen regulatory compliance.

He assured members that the Council would continue to uphold integrity, professionalism, and accountability, while addressing attempts by some practitioners to circumvent established standards. According to him, engineering regulation must remain transparent, sustainable, and effective in preventing infrastructure failures across the country.

In his introductory remarks, *Prof. O. A. U. Uche* emphasised the importance of sustaining quality infrastructure development through continuous improvement in engineering practice. He described infrastructure development as a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, industry, and private sector stakeholders. In this vein, he, therefore, called for stronger synergy in advancing engineering excellence and national development.

The *Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Bosun Tijjani*, stated that science, technology, and engineering remain critical drivers of economic growth, innovation, and public safety. He pledged continued collaboration between the Ministry and engineering regulatory agencies.

Representing the Nigeria Governors' Forum, the *Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang,* opined that engineering is one of the most respected professions globally and emphasised the need to create an enabling environment for engineers to thrive, while sustaining public safety and economic development.

The *National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda*, commended COREN for its achievements in regulating engineering practice. He described engineers as the backbone of national development and praised the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of Engr. David Umahi for the remarkable progress recorded on the four Legacy Road Projects and others across the six geopolitical zones.

He congratulated the Ministry for its commitment to quality infrastructure and affirmed that Nigerian engineers continue to distinguish themselves through professionalism and excellence both nationally and internationally.

The 34th Engineering Assembly reaffirms
COREN’s commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, enforcement, and a tiered sanctioning regime to ensure public safety and sustainable infrastructure development in Nigeria.

Sep

2023

FG Orders the Completion of Carriage Ways Before Working on Spurs... The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed the contractors working on Federal roads in the South East Region to concentrate on the completion of carriageways first before working on the spurs to ensure the speedy completion of the project for use. He made the declaration at the inspection of the construction of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States by MTN Nigeria Communication Plc, The Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra border and many other road construction projects at the ongoing inspection tours of all the federal roads project going on in the region. The Minister ordered that the remaining portion of the roads still under construction be done using concrete pavement as he noticed that some of the road shoulders are already cracking because the quality of bitumen in use is of low quality and adulterated. “I will allow the portions already laid with asphalt but the failing road shoulder should be replaced with concrete carriage, I know what I am saying, the quality of bitumen in this country is low and adulterated. We will not give up the fight till we get to the level where after construction, the road stays for 30 – 50 years before we talk of maintenance” he said. Umahi maintained that the use of concrete technology in road construction is cheaper, safer and reduces the longer time contractors have to stay on site trying to patch failed portions after the project completion, and that with the use of concrete pavement, no one goes back to check if the road is failing or not because road failure when concrete is in use is laughable. “It is safer doing it on concrete and cheaper, I believe strongly that when a project is so expensive it keeps the contractor a longer time on site because he will keep delaying to get all his payment meanwhile there is no money to pay him so he keeps staying on site doing nothing. The Minister directed all contractors that have left their site because of payment to quickly and immediately move back to site or he will terminate the contract noting that the monies released already to the contractors from what he was told is supposed to complete the carriageways before requesting for additional money. “I am optimistic that the money available will complete the work, come with your bill of quantity so we review it and give you proper directive, move back to site immediately to continue your work within 7 days or I terminate the contractor, you cannot say we are owing you and because of that you stop work” He said”. Umahi promised the contractors that availability of fund is not going to be a challenge when they do their own part. He added that he will be meeting with the funding partners and the one being financed through appropriation, all will be given attention. “You said there is no money to complete the project, it is my duty to chase the debt, it is yours to go back to site. I guarantee that the money will be paid, I will meet with the financers and we will do what we are supposed to do”. The Minister demanded that the Director Highways South East, Engr. Bede Obioha brings up the entire project for review to see how they will put ideas together to ensure that all the outstanding projects be completed and be open for usage. During his briefing, the Operations Manager, Niger Cat Construction Company Ltd. Engr. Fadi Mosaad welcomed the Minister and commended the Minister’s directives on the use of concrete pavement saying it’s going to help considering the soil texture and the terrain of the zone. The projects visited are: Rehabilitation of old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road (Agbogugu – Abia Border spur to Mmaku, Rehabilitation of Oji – Achi – mmaku – Awgu – Ndeabgor Road section 1 in Enugu State, Construction of Ugwueme – Nenwenta – Mkwe – Ezere – Awunta – Obeagu – Mgbidi Nmaku Road in Enugu State, construction of Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States, The Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra. ...

Sep

2023

The Ongoing Rehabilitation of Ozalla - Akpugo - Amagunze - Ihuokpara - Nkomoro - Isu - Onicha (Enugu - Onitsha) With A Spur to Onunwere in Enugu State Is Commendable - Umahi Minister of Works Engr. Dave Umahi has commended the ongoing rehabilitation of Ozalla - Akpugo -Amagunze - Ihuokpara - Nkomoro - Isu - Onitsha (Enugu - Onitsha) with a spur to Onunwere, Enugu State, by Arab contractors Nigeria Limited. The Minister made the commendation while on inspection tour of the road on Tuesday September 5, 2023. He pointed out some faults on the road to be as a result of using bad asphalt which led to the failure of the road, so the contractor has been directed to go back, redesign 1.6 kilometer and ensure the needed attention on rigid pavement on the right-hand side. While addressing Pressmen, Umahi, attributed the major problem to be funding. In his words, "but I will acknowledge that our major problem is the issue of funding, there is no way any annual budget can fund it with Sukuk, it's difficult. So, we have to work out issues and see how we can source for the money". He added. In his address, Director Highways in charge of the South East, Engr. Bide Obioha shed more light on the contract work. ...

Sep

2023

South East: Redesign the Failed Portions with Concrete Pavement - Umahi The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed that the failed portions of the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway Section III: Enugu – Lokpanta in Enugu State should be redesigned with concrete pavement. The Minister stated this at the inspection of the road which marks the beginning of his South East Road inspection tour scheduled to take place throughout the week starting from Tuesday 5th September – Saturday 9th September 2023. Umahi reaffirmed that construction work on the federal roads must be done right to avoid coming back to redo an already completed work, he commented on some portions where the binder wearing has been completed but has now failed. “We noticed a couple of failures in some completed and uncompleted sections, contractors must go back and amend them, I believe that bad asphalt resulted to the failure and we cannot take that” ‘he said. The Minister pointed out that some portions of the expressway inspected so far needs urgent and immediate attention and directed the Director in charge of the South East geo-political zone, Engr. Bede Obioha from the Ministry to come up with recommendations for the accomplishment of his directives. “From Km 0+00 left hand side needed immediate attention up to Ozalla and should be amended on rigid pavement and the entire right-hand side also must be on same rigid pavement, Director Highways south East take note. Umahi commended the contractor for the work done so far and encouraged them to continue to keep the pace and on the issue of finance, the Ministry will do their best to make sure fund is provided. Addressing the Minister earlier, the Director Highways South East, Engr. Bede Obioha briefed the Minister on the project and also assured him that all the recommendations sited shall be corrected. The Contractor, Messrs. CGC Nigeria Limited thanked the Minister for visiting the site and promised to work on the failed portions but revealed that the challenge they have is paucity of fund as well as the rainy season, after which, the failed portions shall be corrected. ...

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2025

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May

2018

Up Your Game, Zarma Urges Indigenous Contractors

- Osun Government Commends FG on Massive Infrastructure Delivery

Minister of State 11, Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan Zarma has urged indigenous contractors handling Federal Government projects to “up their game” by improving on their pace of work in order to deliver their projects on schedule.He said Government has much confidence on indigenous contractors and disclosed that the present administration is determined to encourage and promote indigenous contractors.

The Minister who is on inspection of the Ministry’s projects to the South-West Zone, however expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work at the the 27.6Km Oshogbo- Ilesha Road, Section 1 handled by Messers Horizon Construction Limited. He said it was appalling for a 27Km road Rehabilitation project awarded since 2010 to exceed its completion date by 104 per cent in 2018. He asked “if it takes you 8 years to rehabilitate a road, how many years will it take you to build one”.

Zarma challenged the contractor to prove his capacity to deliver the job and stop giving excuses for the delay. He said, ‘government gave you the job with the assurance that you can deliver, you asked for extension after a long delay, your request is not approved, you have to mobilize every resource to meet up the extended October 2018 completion date”.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been highly commended for the massive execution and monitoring of its infrastructure projects across the nation particularly on roads, housing and power. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Minister to the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Tomori, said the Minister’s inspection of on-going projects in the state and across the nation laid credence to the commitment of the present administration to deliver basic infrastructure to the people. She said, “your visit to the state has confirmed the seriousness the federal government attaches to road construction in the state and the nation at large”. She further applauded the Minister for undertaking the tour by road to see things for himself and ensured that the contractors are working.

The deputy governor disclosed that the state was also complimenting the federal government effort by constructing over a 1000km of roads across the state. According to her, the state governor was well known to be a “ constructor of roads”.

Briefing the Minister at the Oshogbo- Ilesha road inspection, the Federal Controller, Works, Engr Omorekpe Njoku said, that the contract was awarded in 2010 at a contract sum of .N2.69b but was later reviewed to N2.88b to accommodate the drainage works on the road. He affirmed that the contractor is indeed slow in delivery on the project.

The Contractor, Messers Horizon Construction however explained that the reason for the prolonged delay in the completion of the project was due to the non budgetary appropriation for the project by past administrations for about three years leading them to stop work at a time. He however commended the present administration for including the project in its appropriation since last year and promised to mobilize fully to meet the completion deadline.