Federal Ministry of Works

Sep

2026

LATEST PRESS

UMAHI ORDERS IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY INTERVENTION ON BENIN-ASABA ROAD, AND SOME OTHER CRITICAL FEDERAL ROADS

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, has directed the immediate deployment of major contractors to all three sections of the Benin-Asaba Federal Road to restore the failed sections and bring an end to the suffering of motorists and other road users.

This is because, the situation on the concessioned Benin-Asaba Road has reached a point where the overall public interest must take precedence over the existing concession agreement.

Recall that the Honourable Minister of Works was on the Benin-Asaba Road about seven days ago, where he assembled a number of contractors and directed them to prepare for immediate palliative intervention on the affected sections of the road at no cost to the concessionaire. In line with the Concession agreement which requires that before the Federal Government could intervene, the permission of the concessionaire must be required, and that permission was not granted to federal government.

The Minister subsequently proposed three options to the concessionaire, any one of which would have enabled the Federal Government to move in and address the worsening condition of the road. Unfortunately, none of the options was accepted by the concessionaire. Immediately after the Minister left Asaba, the already limited equipment deployed to the road by the concessionaire was further reduced to just one, worsening the situation and increasing the suffering of motorists and other road users.

While the Minister takes responsibility for the concerns and suffering of Nigerians using the road, it is important to state that the concessionaire has also not taken the suffering of Edo people and travelling public sufficiently into consideration by declining all the options put forward by the Federal Government. The concessionaire continues to rely on the terms of the concession agreement entered into by the previous administration, an agreement which weighs heavily against the Federal Government’s ability to intervene quickly in the interest of the public in a situation like this.

In view of this situation, the Honourable Minister of Works has directed the immediate deployment of major contractors within the corridor to all three sections of the Benin-Asaba Road to restore the failed sections and bring relief to the people, with the cost of the emergency intervention being borne by the Federal Government. The Honourable Minister has also directed immediate redesign of the entire route to be rebuilt with reinforced concrete pavement. The public should therefore take note that immediate action is underway to restore every failed section of the Benin-Asaba Road and subsequently rehabilitate the entire sections of the road using reinforced concrete pavement.

2. On the Benin-Sapele Road:
The Governors of Edo and Delta States, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Federal Government are currently engaged in interventions on different sections of the road to restore the entire route. While some sections are receiving palliative attention, permanent works are also ongoing on other sections.

3. On Ifaki(Ekiti) - Kabba (Kogi) Road:
The Federal Government is engaging both the contractor; Gamji Nigeria Company Limited, and Dangote PLC on immediate emergency and permanent intervention on the most failed sections of the road, while efforts are being made to financially mobilise the company for more extensive permanent work to commence on the axis.

4. On the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina Road: This is an inherited project involving the dualisation of approximately 350 kilometres, which translates to about 700 kilometers. The project has since been redesigned and is currently ongoing and most sections are being reconstructed using reinforced concrete pavement. From the Sokoto axis towards Zamfara, over 50 kilometres of one carriageway have been fully completed with reinforced concrete pavement. From Zamfara to Katsina, some sections have been completed and palliative works have been ordered over the sections that have not been reconstructed. However, the pace of work slowed down due to the redesign and rephasing of the project. The contractors currently engaged on the road include CBC, SETRACO, Triacta and Mothercat. They are being remobilised to return to site and complete the outstanding works.

5. On the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road: The Federal Government took over the Road project and has currently completed the 118-kilometer mostly on reinforced concrete pavement on lot 1. The Lot 2, which covers 164 kilometres, is over 60 percent completed on reinforced concrete pavement. The Federal Government has also introduced solar-powered light on the entire route of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria - Kano to improve visibility during night travel and enhance the overall security situation on the route. The entire project is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

6. On Bauchi-Jigawa Road: Triacta Nigeria Limited has been mobilised to carry out the necessary interventions on some failed sections and work is currently ongoing in those failed sections.

7. On the Sagamu-Ore Road: 48 Kilometers of the 96-kilometre road have already been completed using reinforced concrete pavement. There is also a 24-kilometre section around Ore which was abandoned by the previous contractor. The Federal Government has directed its immediate restoration to ensure seamless travel. Solar lights are being installed in the entire 96kilometer of the road.

8. On Flooded Sections on Sagamu-Ore-Benin Road: The flooded sections on the same corridor between Sagamu-Ore-Benin Road, as well as other flooded sections in Ondo State, are being designed for emergency procurement and intervention.

9. On the East-West Road:
Some failed and critical sections, including defective sections of bridges along the East-West Road, are being marked out for emergency procurement and intervention.

10. On the Abuja-Lokoja Road:
Several contracts are ongoing along the route, while the three critical sections currently without contracts are being procured for emergency intervention.

11. On the Lokoja-Benin-Warri Road: The President has directed a complete redesign and procurement of the 400-kilometre dualised route covering the uncompleted sections, using reinforced concrete pavement, while palliative works will continue with the contractors currently on the road.

12. On Carter Bridge:
While the Federal Government continues to undertake weekly maintenance of the underwater elements of the bridge. The site has also been handed over to the contractor, CCECC, for the construction of a permanent new bridge, and work has commenced.

13. On the Third Mainland Bridge:
With regard to the defective underwater structural elements, the Federal Government is at the final stage of determining the appropriate intervention for the repair of the affected elements.

14. On the flooded section of the Lagos-Ibadan Road: Work has commenced on the affected section. There are also several flooded sections on federal roads across the six geopolitical zones, largely occasioned by excessive flooding and the effects of climate change. The Federal Government is identifying and marking these sections for immediate attention.

15. On the First and Second Niger Bridges:
Intervention work is ongoing on the approach roads to the Second Niger Bridge damaged by flood and the work is progressing very well. The First Niger Bridge has been closed to traffic to enable immediate repair works. Contractor has mobilized to site and comprehensive rehabilitation of the bridge has started. From Summit Junction to the First Niger Bridge, massive rehabilitation work is also ongoing using reinforced concrete pavement.

16. The Honourable Minister wishes to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the massive work being undertaken on the nation’s roads since the administration assumed office in 2023.

17. It is important to state that when the present administration came into office, there was hardly any part of the country where one could travel for an hour without encountering significant challenges on the road network. The condition of the country’s roads and bridges was a major national infrastructure challenge.

18. Rather than shy away from the problem, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the nation’s road network a priority. Virtually every part of the country became a priority, and the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, Regional Commissions, Parastatals and other MDA’s has continued to respond extensively to these challenges.

19. The Federal Government is currently working on over 80 percent of the inherited federal roads, an unprecedented level of intervention in the country’s road infrastructure.

20. We ask the public to understand the enormous challenges inherited on our roads and bridges and to take note not only of the problems being solved, but also of the permanent solutions being introduced.

21. A major part of this new approach is the use of reinforced concrete pavement, designed to significantly extend the lifespan of major roads. These roads are expected to last between 50 and 100 years. This means that roads being constructed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are being designed with future generations in mind, rather than simply providing temporary solutions to today’s problems. And this is a complete departure from the past, when roads often deteriorated only a few years after completion, resulting in a continuous cycle of reconstruction and expenditure.

22. We appreciate the concerns of Nigerians over the condition of some roads presently and the difficulties faced by motorists and commuters who cannot move easily from one point to another. Those concerns are legitimate, and the Federal Government is listening. But Nigerians should also recognise the enormous scale of the problems inherited and the amount of work currently being undertaken across the country.

23. It is simply impossible to resolve every road challenge accumulated over many years of neglect by the past administrations within three years. What is important is that the government is working, the government is responding, and the government is putting permanent solutions in place.

25. We appreciate members of the public who send situation reports on failed roads and other infrastructure challenges. These reports help the Ministry identify areas requiring urgent attention. However, we also appeal to members of the public to report when such problems have been addressed, just as they report when they occur.

24. We are aware of situations where photographs and reports of road challenges continue to circulate on social media even after the Federal Government has intervened and resolved the particular problem.
25. However, the Ministry will continue to respond as rapidly as possible to genuine reports and concerns from Nigerians.
26. It is also important to note that we have compiled a comprehensive record of all inherited, ongoing and intervention projects across the country which is available to the public. This is to ensure that Nigerians have access to information on the infrastructure projects being undertaken nationwide and can fully participate in and appreciate the infrastructure revolution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Nov

2022

Fashola proposes University Consultancy Services, Data Provision, Poll Results, Value Data, Printing Press for Tertiary Institutions as Alternative Sources of Funding The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said, “University Consultancy Services, Data Provision, Poll Results, Value Data, Printing Press are value proposals for Tertiary Institutions" The Minister made the above remarks as a panellist at an event organised by Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, held at a National Summit in Abuja on tertiary education with a view to providing solutions to challenges facing the sector with a theme ‘Re-imagining Tertiary Education in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Solutions.’ Fashola also said " employees of government owned institutions who want to be autonomous is a big issue " He said Tertiary Education is on the concurrent list, meaning that States and Federal Governments can fund education in the country. Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Benjamin Akabueze while making his remarks said, ‘'There has to be a sustainable funding of tertiary education .We cant continue with the current system because it is not working and not sustainable." Professor (Mrs.) Uduak Ekpo, Department of Education Administration & Planning, University of Calabar remarked at the event, “Budget and allocation for tertiary education should go up instead of going down. Nigeria's education budget remains among the poorest in Africa." She said if lecturers run away from their core mandate of academic’s excellence through research and teaching and go into business, funding of university, education will suffer. Director Centre for Gender and Women Studies University of Jos, Professor Irene Agunloye in her remarks said, “ Education is a commodity and if you do not build the capacity of people in academics there will not be headway.“ She advised that some institutions should be made research universities in order to generate more fund . Chairman / Chief Executive Officer Channels Media Group, Dr.John Momoh said "There is need for the Academic Staff Union of Universities and Federal Government to come to agreement till both sides are happy with the negotiation." Momoh also said that universities should look for a way of generating fund from alumni and to also look for a way of outsourcing of assets of universities in order to improve funding. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by its current President, Emmanuel Osodeke said “ The level of poverty in Nigeria would not allow Nigerian students to pay increased tutition fees. ...

Nov

2022

Under Bridges Are Not Market Places - Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, CON, has reiterated to Lagos residents that under bridges built in the state are not market places but are built for ease of vehicular movement, movement of goods and services and for the benefit of humanity. Speaking during the inspection tour of the recently burnt Eko bridge and also at a press briefing on the rehabilitation and repairs of Eko Bridge burnt section (Apongbon and Ijora Olopa section), Fashola noted that tough laws are needed as regards the protection of bridges and that such Laws must have Federal Government backing and support. “If you don’t give tough laws, things will not be done. You have our support, under bridges are not places of cooking or a residing place and it’s not only endangering their lives but also the lives of other people. Illegal way of living must be put to an end”. He said. “We are appealing to the Lagos State government to ensure that all trading activities under the bridges in the state must as a matter of urgency be brought to a stop. We seek the cooperation of the Ministry of Transportation, Environment, Local Government Law enforcement agencies to help us preserve our bridges.” He said. The Minister emphasized that the aspect of stopping people from trading under the bridges, is a collective task and effort, as government put laws asking people to stop selling under the bridge, buyers should as well automatically stop patronizing sellers at such unhealthy locations. “This is also a generational effort, people should stand and say; this kind of a thing will not happen on our bridges again, I refuse to sell and I also refuse to patronize, no more trading that endangers lives again, the purpose is to ensure that this infrastructure continues to deliver for us”. He said. The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Olufemi Hamzat warned the citizens to desist from doing business under the bridge and live the right way for the interest of others. The Deputy Governor said that the state government is willing to support in any way that will ensure quick compliance by citizens to stop illegal use of the under bridges. Olufemi said: “The State Government will be available to monitor the process and provide assistance where necessary to ensure that the contractor have a smooth operation. In the aspect of people trading under the bridge, we will communicate with appropriate department to ensure that the issue is addressed.” The Director Highways (Bridges and Design) Engr. Oluropo Oyetade explained that as a result of the fire incident on the bridge, the section of the bridge has been closed and the Contractor has been directed to carry out technical evaluation of the bridge to ascertain the extent of the damage. The Ministry’s Engineers have also been directed to carry out a thorough inspection of the burnt bridge and come up with a technical report pending the Technical Evaluation. Speaking on the extent of the damages, Managing Director, Messrs. Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd., Engr. Enile Aboohabib said that most of the bearing of the bridge needs to be changed, jacketing of damaged piers, removal of damaged expansion joints, unclogging of drainage gullies e.t.c some parts he said are about to collapse if not for the quick intervention of the Federal Government. Enile said: “We have commenced the rehabilitation exercises but now we are shifting some of our materials to the newly burnt Ijora section of the bridge as directed because of its busy nature than the Agbogbon section, the scope for total completion will be by June 2023. “We are committed to the vision of the Federal Government and we have record of delivering project in record time. We have categorized the affected areas into 1 to 5 and work is ongoing. Now that we are allowed to close the bridge completely it will make the work easier and faster." ...

Nov

2022

Boost In Transportation Infrastructure for Kano, Jigawa as FG Approves Dualization, Reconstruction of Section Two of Kano-Hadejia Road • Over 350 jobs expected as dualization/reconstruction work begins on the Section II of the 82 km single and dual carriageways • The road will open up settlements within the project vicinity and provide access for the evacuation of goods and services, says Fashola In pursuance of its objective of improving transportation infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones of the country, the Federal Government has approved the dualization and reconstruction of the Kano-Kwannar-Danja-Hadejia Road traversing Kano and Jigawa States in the North West Zone of the country. The approval given by the Federal Executive Council covers the 82-kilometre Road, which is a composition of both single and dual carriageways of two and four lanes respectively as Section II, comprising 58 KM single carriageway and 24 KM dualized carriageway length with the dualized section located in Kano City. The FEC approval which was sequel to a memorandum dated October 31, 2022, and presented to it by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, covers the Section of the road which begins at Yankaba Roundabout located in Kano City, traversing through Gunduwawa, Jogana, Gezawa, Guruma, Kagadama, Kawo, Gabasawa, Unguwan Ari, Limawa and terminates at Tsalle Village linking both Kano and Jigawa States. Stating the reasons for seeking the approval for the contract worth N94.14 billion, Fashola, said the road when completed would open up settlements within the project vicinity and provide access for the evacuation of goods and services adding that the socio-economic life of the host communities would also be enhanced. The Minister explained to the Council that the Ministry had earlier on February 21, 2022, requested and obtained from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) the approval and a Certificate of “No Objection” for the procurement procedure for the contract adding that the BPP granted the approval vide its letter dated April 8, 2022. Fashola also informed the Council through the Memorandum that Due Diligence/Post Qualification conducted on the company showed that it is capable to execute the contract and is duly registered under the Nigerian law and fully compliant with the Nigerian Local Content Policy. While itemizing the Scope of work on the road, the Minister said the road would also improve the socio-economic lives of the people within the stretch of the different communities in the project areas adding that the condition of the existing road pavement is characterized by failures such as potholes, loss of shoulder material and alligator cracks with complete loss of pavement structure at the other sections. The Minister said there was also need to bring the dual carriageway section formerly constructed by the Kano State Government to the Ministry of Works’ standards and specifications, listing some of the construction improvements required on the existing road to include clearing on both sides of the road, provision of natural occurring materials that meet the specification as fill materials and provision of suitable laterite as base. Other improvement materials required, the Minister stated, include provision of 60mm asphaltic concrete wearing course on carriageway junction and laybys as well as provision of new and replacement of access culverts at major turnings and junctions along the road, among others. ...