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.

Jul

2022

Our Commitment to Infrastructure Development Bearing Results - Buhari President Muhamadu Buhari has said that the commitment of his administration in infrastructure development across the nation is already bearing results. The President spoke over the weekend in Gashua, Yobe State, north-eastern Nigeria during the official commissioning and handover of the completed section I phase II and section II phase I of the Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari road. President Buhari was represented at the event by the Honourable Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE. “Our commitment to improving road transport infrastructure, our determination to improve the ease of doing business, create jobs and prosperity to lift people out of poverty brings us here today because the results of our investment are manifesting,” he said. Accordingly, he explained that the road has been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship and if well used and not abused, it should last for the designed service life. While assuring Nigerians about the desire of his administration to complete all ongoing projects, President Buhari said “I can confidently say that as we enter the final lap of the tenure of the Buhari administration we are also entering a season of completion and delivery of projects.” The President also cautioned Nigerians to desist from indiscreet road abuses, comply with the highway code, and reminded them to adhere to the maximum 100 kilometers per hour speed limit on Federal Highways nationwide. “Now that we have this new and well-built road, we have duties to ourselves and to other road users and one of those duties is to ensure that we drive in accordance with the law as stipulated in the Highway Code.” He listed the road abuses to include: overloading of vehicles which accelerates pavement damage; spilling of petroleum products, which dissolves all the components and allows water to penetrate, and converting the road shoulders to permanent parking places, that brings the onset of road failure from the shoulder. " Nigerian citizens should do their best to avoid these practices, and to report them when they occur and also act in a lawful manner to stop them" he said. Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola represented by the Director Highways, North-East, Engr Celestine Shawusu, said that the projects represent major investment in road Transport infrastructure, which was a commitment of the Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity. He explained that the projects were visible and incontrovertible assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in, from a combination of our earned resources, and borrowings. Fashola also acknowledged and commended the commitment of the President and his Vice, the professionalism of staff of the Ministry in the delivering of the projects and the support of Ministers in the Federal Executive Council and the members of the National Assembly, especially the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works in the 8th and 9th Assembly for their support. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, represented by the Yobe State Federal Controller of Works, Engr O.B. Akinmade, said that the administration of President Muhamadu Buhari has focused its attention on the completion of several on-going projects to stimulate economic development, create jobs and promote local content. He explained that it was part of the developmental agenda of the administration in addressing road infrastructural development of Nigeria. “The focus is to link the major arterial roads to refineries, ports, tertiary institutions and high-volume commercial centers with a view to reducing travel times, vehicle maintenance costs, safety and security of commuters.” he said. In his remarks, Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni stated that the project was both historic and important to the State. He said after several years of neglect by previous governments, the Buhari's administration has been able to rehabilitate the road for our use. He said: " the importance of the road to the socio-economic development cannot be overemphasized." On his part, the Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman thanked President Buhari and said that ten years ago, journey from Nguru to Gashua usually takes them about two and half hour, but they now make the journey in less than forty-five minutes. "This has facilitated movement of goods from our farms to the market thereby boosting our economic activities," he said. A road user by name Abubakar Babaginda commended Federal Government for the road saying travel time has reduced drastically. " Before now we find it difficult to ply this road, we spend many hours to get to Gashua due to the bad road, but now we spend fewer time. We are grateful, " he said. ...

Jul

2022

FG Committed to The Completion of Abuja - Kaduna - Kano Road - Engr, F. Esan The federal government has reiterated its commitment towards the completion of the Abuja - Kaduna-Kano Road phase 2 & 3 soonest. The Director of Highway Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunso Esan stated this while inspecting the road construction by Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd on Friday 1st July, 2022. Esan confirmed that the two sections, section 1 & 2 of the road are the major concentration now while section 1 will take of shortly. "It's the same road and if we deliver a section of the road that means we are done with that particular section as you can see in this section two being inspected and section 3, that means we can concentrate our resources in section one” he said The Director said the project is being done in phases with the first phase being the 74km Kaduna-Zaria section, which is already nearing completion. He said that the second phase, which is the 137Km Zaria-Kano section, will be completed in the first quarter of 2023 while the last phase, the Abuja-Kaduna will be taking off. Folorunso added that the issues concerning challenges which the contractor was encountering in the cause of the work has been addressed and so nothing hopefully will stop them from working and also the relocation of facilities causing obstruction on the road construction like electric poles has been attended to, noting that the contractor is going to meet up with the contract completion date. " Challenges are addressed and there is nothing that will stop then from working, another thing is relocation of facilities, for which approval has been gotten by the contractor to remove any obstruction on the site" he said The Director said he is impressed with the level of work on going, the quality and standard meets FG expectations. He encouraged them to keep up with the pace and not to hesitate to report any challenge that may crop up at any time. The site manager of Julius Berger Construction Company for section 2, Engr. Theo Scheepers thanked the Ministry who timely helped tackle all the challenges and little hurdles they had earlier encountered. He promised that the contract will be completed six months before the date of agreed completion given them elapses. Also, for the section 3, Zaria to Kano, the site Manager, Engr. Finn Drosdowki is also of the same view that they are going to meet up with the completion date. ...

Jul

2022

Timely Completion of The Rehabilitation of Kaduna - Pambeguwa - Jos Road Assured - Engr. F. Esan The Director, Highway Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunsho Esan has assured the completion of Kaduna - Pambeguwa - Jos Road in Kaduna and Plateau state within the next 12 months. The Director made this known during an inspection tour on the road recently to ascertain the progress and level of work done so far by the contractor. Esan is optimistic that the rehabilitation work on the road will be completed in due cause saying he is highly satisfied with the quality and pace of work on the road. " Yes, the quality of work is satisfactory, we have 35km of binder and if you don't look properly, you'd think the job is finished. We are still expecting another layer on top.18% is done currently because 35km out of 190km is 18%, which shows there is a lot of progress from the date the contract was awarded" he said. The Director confirmed that the funding of the project is not a problem as the source of funding the project has already been mapped out. "Everything is together, when you think of the time of completion, you'd think of the funding that is available, the funding has to match the time frame and we are trying with what we have to ensure that the project is completed within the next 12 months" he said. Esan encouraged the contractor to continue with the pace of work and that whatever challenge they may encounter, will be attended to in good time. " They should not stop work; they should continue working. Whatever is the problem would be solved and they should just keep up the pace of work" he said. At the inspection of the road too, the Director, Highway, North West, Engr. Adebayo Taiwo said that the road has added value and economically impacted on a lot of communities along the road corridor. "You can see that this road cut across many states, starting from Kaduna and going towards Jos border and there is also a spur to Bauchi. So, there is a lot of economic impact. Agricultural areas are being more accessible, rural communities too are now being well connected" he said. He pointed out that the road has helped the local communities to have easy access to bigger cities like Kaduna to sell their farm produce. " you can see that this particular location we passed now, where there is a settlement, with drainage and proper layout makes easy access to Kaduna and if they want to go to Jos too they can easily connect to move their agricultural products" he said. While explaining the progress of work done so far, the contractor handling the project Messes Setraco Nig. Limited represented by the project Manager, Engr. Jabir Mustapha appreciated the Ministry for the award of the contract and confirmed that funding of the project has not been a challenge. He noted that all the communities along the road are cooperating with them. He promised that the road project will be delivered on time but noted that the rainy season might reduce the pace of work but the specifications and the standard must be maintained. He thanked the Ministry for regular release of funds. He also appreciated the nearby communities for their security support. The Engineer's representative on site, Engr. Eyitayo Aluko gave the project description saying that, the existing road is approximately 199.50km in length. The project begins from Maraban Jos to Tudor Fulani in Plateau State border 189.9km, while spur begins from Saminaka junction to Bauchi State border 9.6km. The road he said serves as a link road from Kaduna State and other North Western States to Plateau and other North Eastern States of the country. ...