Federal Ministry of Works

Feb

2026

LATEST PRESS

STRATEGIC ROAD INTERVENTIONS RECONNECT COMMUNITIES AS FG ADVANCES RENEWED HOPE AGENDA IN PLATEAU STATE

The Federal Government has commissioned and completed emergency road infrastructure interventions in Plateau State and visited ongoing strategic road projects, including the Lafia–Shendam Road and the Babban Lamba–Sharram Road, as part of sustained efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda to improve national connectivity and economic growth.

This is in continuation of the Ministry’s national media tour of the North Central region, in Plateau State, aimed at showcasing completed emergency repairs and ongoing road projects and highlighting its commitment to delivering critical infrastructure under the transformative leadership of the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE. This is in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s aggressive infrastructure development drive as captured in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
During the National Media Tour, several emergency and special intervention projects were commissioned. At the same time, strategic road projects were also visited, with the Babban Lamba–Sharram Road serving as the final point in the state. Upon assumption of office in May, 2023, the administration inherited 2,064 ongoing federal road projects, many of which had been abandoned due to funding constraints. In response, the Federal Government approved 260 emergency projects nationwide, prioritising critically failed sections of the network to restore connectivity, enhance safety, and make it easier to move goods, services, and people across the country.

The Commissioning was done, on behalf of the Minister, by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, Mrs. Ayiku Pwaspo. She emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to not only initiating projects but ensuring their timely completion, in line with approved specifications, noting that improved road infrastructure remains critical to sustainable development.

Providing technical details on the projects, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Plateau State, Engr. Jibril Shua’ibu stated that among the commissioned interventions was the Reinstatement of Embankment Washouts of a Culvert and Bridge at kilometre 30+250 (Kwande), along the Shendam–Lafia Road, covering Chainage 38+000 to 38+200 (culvert washout) and Chainage 30+250 (bridge washout).

According to him, the project, which was awarded at a contract sum of ₦824 million, commenced in 2024 and was completed within a span of a few months, thereby restoring safe and uninterrupted traffic flow along the corridor.
At another location along the same Lafia–Shendam alignment, undertaken to address structural failure, prevent erosion, and enhance hydraulic capacity, he informed that the repairs involved the construction of a 2.0m x 1.5m double-cell box culvert beside an existing 2.0m x 1.5m single-cell, including asphalt overlay works, at Chainage 1+500.

The Controller further took the team to the site of an ongoing construction, explaining that the work covers a 16-kilometre stretch from the Lafia–Shendam Road Junction through Poeship to Ngotuguut towns. He further revealed that an additional 7-kilometre Section II of the project is undergoing procurement processes. He disclosed that the project was awarded to Messrs Triacta Construction Company at a contract sum of approximately ₦16 billion, with a completion period of 15 months, and has currently attained about 52 percent completion, noting that earlier challenges, including funding-related issues, have been resolved and the project is now progressing well.

The Project Manager, Mr. Nakhle Abou Yaounde, reaffirmed the contractor’s commitment to delivering the project, in line with approved specifications and timelines, while commending the Federal Ministry of Works for consistent technical supervision and the host communities for their cooperation and patience.

Speaking on behalf of the host communities during the exercise, the Community Liaison Officer, Pharmacist Senpet Yitnoe, described the Lafia–Shendam Junction–Poeship–Ngotuguut Road as a “road to endless possibilities,” noting its positive impact on access to farmlands, schools, and economic opportunities, and assured the Federal Government of continued community support.

The tour also covered the Construction of Babban Lamba–Sharram Road, a 44.625-kilometre new alignment linking Babban Lamba and Sharram communities of the state. Although initially taken as a rehabilitation project, the FCW noted that the scope effectively involves the construction of a new flexible pavement, including side clearance, earthworks, sub-base, and stone base layers. He further told that while the contract was awarded in 2018 with a completion period of 24 months, progress had earlier been stalled due to funding challenges. However, following the intervention of the Minister, the contractor has fully remobilised to the site, with active construction ongoing from the Sharram end, using multiple construction teams (gangs) and equipment spread across sections of the corridor, according to the Controller. The team witnessed a hope being renewed.

Speaking on the project, the Project Coordinator for Ric Rock Construction (Nigeria) Limited, Engr. Kenneth noted that the road, with a carriageway width of 7.3 metres and shoulders of 2.75 metres on both sides, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between communities, cutting journeys that previously took nearly two hours to about 20 minutes. He added that the project includes multiple bridge structures within the corridor and that construction activities are ongoing at both road and bridge locations, with strong cooperation from the host communities.

Similarly, the Site Agent for the project, Engr. Augustine Imiere stated that the Babban Lamba–Sharram Road is designed to open up markets, enhance access to businesses, and improve socio-economic activities across connected communities and beyond. He disclosed that the project includes hydraulic structures, drainage facilities, and five bridges, including multi-span ones at different locations, and expressed confidence that with continued support from the Ministry and cooperation from the communities, the project would be delivered soon.

Aug

2022

Perm Sec Charges Engineers on Economic Growth and Job Creation. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali, FCA, FCTI, has charged Nigerian Engineers to come up with resolutions that can lead to economic growth and job creation in the country. He gave this charge while declaring open the 43rd Conference of Directors of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments of Ministries of Works and Housing in the Federation. Alkali, was ably represented by the Director, Human Resources Department in the Ministry, Aliyu Abdullahi The Theme of the Conference is "Engineers as Catalyst for National Economic Growth and Job Creation." He said "Conversing about Engineers as Catalyst for National Economic Growth and Job Creation, the papers to be presented at this conference are to address issues bothering on economic growth and job creation" He also noted that Engineers need to start turning their ideas and inventions into marketable products and services through planning, designing, constructing, installing, commissioning and maintaining of infrastructures. Describing the roles of engineers as prime and fundamental, Alkali pointed out that to alleviate poverty in Nigeria, the country would need a growth model that could generate adequate jobs for her citizens and it could only be achieved through industrialization. "Nigeria needs a growth model that can generate sufficient jobs for her huge population and also be inclusive enough to significantly curb poverty" he said. Accordingly, the Permanent Secretary stated that industrialization being a product of technologies and application of technological breakthrough could only be a reality through advancement in engineering. He told the delegates that the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has given the approval for the Ministry to commence the training of Artisans in the various Ministry’s training schools, pointing out that the launching of the N-Power by the administration of President Muhammad Buhari and Special Public Works Programme has provided Nigerian youths job placement and empowerment. In his welcome address, the chairman of the Conference and Head of Engineering Department in the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Valentine Nwaimo, urged delegates to come up with a workable communique that could be presented for consideration and approval at the upcoming Council on Works. "As the Conference progresses, I want to wish all of us a very fruitful deliberation so as to come up with a good communiquè that is worthy of presentation at the Council of Works which is the highest policy making body for consideration and approval," he said. According to Engr Nwaimo, the Conference of Directors of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Department of the Ministries of Works and Housing of the Federation is an annual event where papers on a selected theme are presented and deliberated upon for the acceleration of Nigeria’s development. He told the participants to utilize this opportunity to brainstorm on topical issues affecting the growth of the country in diverse area and come up with innovative ideas that could lead to economic growth, creation of jobs as well as stem the tide of corruption. ...

Jul

2022

FG’s Investments in Roads, Bridges, Other Social Capital Projects Aimed at Creating Choice, Imminent Prosperity - Fashola • Says Lagos - Badagry Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Others making rapid progress with dedicated funding The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has said that the commitment of the Federal Government to public assets like roads, bridges, ports, dam and other social capital investments is aimed at creating choice and imminent prosperity for the citizenry. Noting that the choice would come in form of reduced journey time and better travel experience, the Minister also assured that the Federal Government will complete Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge and other critical road transport infrastructure of the nation soon. Fashola, who spoke while hosting a team of senior management staff from the PUNCH Newspapers, led by the PUNCH Editor, Mr Dayo Oketola, said that the Federal Government has gotten N16bn Tax Credit Fund for the construction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Fashola stated that the speed of work on that road, as well as some others, were dependent on the funds available for such projects adding that with the Tax Credit Fund work was progressing substantially on that axis. Defending borrowing to finance infrastructure, he said, the Buhari Administration has paid over N700 billion since coming into government which was part of the debt left by previous Administrations. According to the Minister, borrowing as an essential component of public finance becomes necessary in order to be able to respond to the unceasing request for vital infrastructure from the citizenry. “The public assets – roads, bridges, highways, ports, dams are the social capital investments that the government must make” for individuals and businesses to get on with their life. According to the Minister, such investments create choice and ultimately prosperity. “All of us know the impact of choice in our lives, if you have to wear only one clothe as against if you have four… You are going to have two Bridges across the Niger, it’s a sign of imminent prosperity, that is what is being done now…” Explaining that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was responding to the infrastructural needs of the various parts of the country through a combination of borrowing and various innovative funding initiatives. “You are complaining about debt, where do you think, money is going to come from to build the Badagry road? So that is why there was no progress on it in the past.” He added, “But the reason why there has been an appreciable progress now on that road is because we got Tax Credit Fund for it.’’ On the Lagos-Ota Road, Fashola said the contract sum was over N50bn, “but go and look in the budget and see how much is there (for the road), may be N200m,” adding that with the injection of N7bn this year work progressed on the road. Speaking on the forthcoming election, Fashola opined that it was important to have the next election focus on the issue of public financing knowledge because often times the nation go into election without debate about funding and to find out where the money is going to come from when aspirants make promises. "Somebody has to pay for it. It is either debt or increase on taxation or better still through private investment, this, the Ministry is currently doing something in that direction through the Tax Credit Scheme, the Highway Development Management Initiative which is trying to concession 12 highways." Responding to the question on subsidy, the Minister stated that, what a Nation wants to do is determined by its leadership and that the issue of subsidy would be best addressed by the Nigerian people themselves through their representatives at the National Assembly. "I agreed that the amount of money that is committed to a single product in terms of subsidy is a matter for concern and I think it is a debate we have shied away from. The matter is a combination of policy and economy and cannot be separated." He added that if it were simply an economic decision, it would have been removed. "So, it is the decision of the Nigerian people. If they take that decision, government will implement it," he said. Earlier, the leader of the Nigerian Punch Newspaper Management Team, an Editor, Mr. Dayo Oketola commended the Minister for the numerous programmes and projects embarked upon since assumption of office. He noted that The Punch Newspaper will as a medium continue to inform Nigerians and also to educate them saying the organization are partners in progress with the government of the day. " We believe in the project Nigeria and we pray and hope it will work," he said. ...

Jul

2022

Works Ministry Organizes Health Talk for Directors. In a bid to create awareness on health-related matters that will greatly enhance productivity, more so to aid the life expectancy of serving Officers, the Ministry of Works and Housing has organized a one-day Workshop on Health matters for Directors of the Ministry, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The one-day workshop is on: stress management, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, work-life balance of and Cardiac Arrest. The workshop was Organized in recognition of the important roles Directors plays in their fields and capacity in managing staff and material resources of their departments. In his opening address before declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary Of the Ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, FCA, FCTI said that the objective of the workshop is to create awareness on early detection of some health-related challenges that are life-threatening diseases before they become intractable. Mr Bashir Nura Alkali added that the Ministry has maintained a robust plan as part of its efforts to improve the welfare and general well-being of its staff as part of its reward system. " It is my pleasure therefore to underline that the health plan which initially began as a bi-monthly routine medical check-up has been scaled up to include an annual health talk for all staff of the Ministry", he said. Alkali encouraged the Directors to reap the full benefits of the health talk and promised that the health talk workshop would be extended to other categories of staff of the Ministry. The workshop was Organized by Elyon Synergy Ltd, Lagos, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works and Housing. The two Medical Doctors who delivered the talks are Dr. Jacob Nwanchukwu a stress management consultant and Prof. David.A. Oke, the current Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Some of the important health topics discussed included: Prevention and Control of Hypertension, Economic Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases. Discussed extensively also were, kidney functions, failure and treatment, modern methods of diabetic management, sudden death and technology of medical devices. Others are high cholesterol and physical exercise for fitness, finance, wellness and stress-free investments were emphasized. The workshop was well attended by the Directors of the Ministry because of the invaluable benefit of health in relation with their work fields and capacities. Giving his Vote of Thanks, the Director, Human Resources, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, appreciated the Honourable Ministers for granting approval for this health talk for the Directors of the Ministry. He said that for the workshop to get its approval, the Ministers and the Permanent Secretary truly demonstrated that they value the Management of the Ministry and therefore take seriously the health issues of its staff. " It is highly commendable and we should take the health tips serious as recommended by our health experts," he said. ...

LIVE ACTIVITY FEED

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Apr

2017

FG Commends Progress Of Work On National Housing Project

Federal Government has commenced the construction of houses across the country under the National Housing Programme. The construction works in the Phase 1 of the project tagged “2016 National Housing Programme” are at various stages of completion in the six (6) states of the North Central Zone of the country.

The Minister of state works, Power and Housing, Alhaji Mustapha Baba Shehu disclosed this on Sunday 09/04/2017 during the inspection of the project in Lokoja, Kogi State. Alhaji Baba, who was on inspection tour of the projects in the six states of the North Central came to Lokoja, from Ilorin, Kwara State where he had earlier carried out similar inspection of the project.

The Minister stated that the programme which is meant to provide houses for the people and ease their accommodation problem was a fulfillment of part of the electioneering promises to the people of Nigeria by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

According to him, the programme, apart from making houses readily available and affordable for any interested members of the public, would also help to create job opportunities as different categories of people are engaged to work at the construction site of the project to earn a living.

The Minister said the initiation of the programme by the present administration was a deliberate effort to create wealth for people adding that more Nigerians stand to benefit from the 2nd Phase of the programme in 2017.

While fielding questions from journalists, the Minister expressed satisfaction at the quality of job that has been done and advised the contractors to keep it up in order to complete the work on schedule. The Federal Controller of Works, Kogi State, Architect Hajara Enesi conducted the Minister round the 76 units of the houses which according to her is made up of 24 blocks of 3 bedrooms flats, 48 blocks of 2 bedroom flats and 4 blocks of 1 bedroom flats.

The controller also disclosed that a total of 12 contractors had been engaged to handle the project in the state. She stated that the estate, when completed, would be provided with social amenities like the police post, primary school and water supply.

The Architect averred that the project, which is schedule to be completed within 5 months, is expected to be handed over to the government in the next 2 months. Some of the contractors, who spoke to the minister commended the Federal Government for initiating the programme, in which they had been engaged to eke out a living.

They however said one of the problems being faced by them on the jobs is the lack of office accommodation and the need to review the cost of the project in view of escalating prices in the market. They appealed to the government to do something about these challenges quickly to enhance quality performance.

The Minister who was accompanied on the tour by some management staff of the ministry has since left the state in continuation of the tour to Nasarawa, Benue and plateau states respectively.