Federal Ministry of Works

Feb

2026

LATEST PRESS

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.

Mar

2020

FG Receives Accolades On Rehabilitation Of Internal Roads At UNN The University of Nigeria Nsukka community has expressed joy and appreciation to the FG for the rehabilitation of Internal roads in the university community. The university community showed their appreciation at the handing over ceremony of 2.2km internal roads rehabilitated in the university by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. The Minister who was represented at the event by the Federal Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Olufemi Oyekami, said that the rehabilitation of some roads in the university was to enhance quality of education in the institution and to bring succor to the users. According to Fashola, ‘’We are steadily reducing the gap of Nigeria’s infrastructural needs by the gradual process of repair, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the school.” Fashola noted that 18 out of the 43 on-going road intervention projects had been completed. He said, “Today we hand over this one as a critical contribution to support education.” He added that no fewer than 27 people were directly employed in the course of the job thereby contributing to the job creation initiative of the Federal Government. The Minister disclosed that similar road rehabilitation projects were going on at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu and the Federal University of Health and Dental Technology, Enugu, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR deserved to be applauded. He urged the university community to ensure that the roads were properly used and maintained. In his response, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsuka,Prof.Charles ArinzeChukwu Igwe ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, UNN, Prof. Pat Okpoko described the rehabilitation project as laudable and beneficial. Prof.Igwe added that the rehabilitated internal roads would ease access within the campus, improve communication, the ambiance of the environment and restore the dignity of man. He demanded for more Federal Government road intervention in the institution as some other roads in the school were dilapidated due to age. “Our infrastructure is weak due to age. The Federal Government may wish to consider our size and age in sharing the number of roads intervention among tertiary institutions across the nation.” Prof. Igwe said that the institution’s resources were minimal. He requested for more of these kind gesture to be done for the institution to promote seamless academic process. He thanked the Honourable minister for the kind gesture and pledged that the university community would ensure that the projects were maintained to last long. The President of the Student Union Government, Comr. Chimezie Fortnatus thanked the Minister on behalf of the students saying that the project has brought relief to over 40,000 well meaning students of the institution who are positive minded. He said that appreciation is an application for more, requesting the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to rehabilitate and build more internal roads for them to ease movement in the campus. The Three rehabilitated roads in the institution are: 1,040 meters Ikejiani Road, 400 meters Ugwuegede Road and 580 meters Engineering to Odim gate road. ...

Mar

2020

Find New Ways To Bridge The Road And Housing Gap In The Country - Fashola The Honourable Minster of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has called on participants at the National Policy on Development, (N-PoD), summit to use the occasion to identify new ways to tackle the numerous problems responsible for road and housing infrastructure gap in the Country. The Minister who was represented by the Hon. Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu made this call while delivering the key note address at the second edition of the National Policy on Development summit in Abuja today. Fashola disclosed that as part of efforts to bridge the infrastructure gap the Ministry of Works and Housing had intervened in the construction of internal roads in 44 tertiary institutions. He added that the intervention forms part of the over 500 roads and bridge projects currently being undertaken by the Ministry. On the housing deficit in Nigeria the Minister said, “The Ministry is concerned about mitigating the deficit and ensuring that Nigerians wherever they reside have access to affordable, conducive and hygienic housing.” He further said “The National Housing Programm is ongoing across the country with over 2,500 units completed in 34 States of the Federation.” Fashola further revealed that the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Federal Housing Authority were increasing the housing stock to Nigerians through several programmes such as rent to own, mortgage finance ownership and so on. The Minster of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello, who was represented by Professor M.T Usman praised the organisers of the summit for bringing together stakeholders to brainstorm and galvanise ideas on how best to move the nation forward. He described the theme of the summit “Actualizing The Next Level Agenda, Strategies, Prospects And Anticipated Challenges” as apt saying that the FCT administration was working hard to ensure that Nigerians felt the impact of good governance. On his part, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba stressed the need for the National Orientation Agency to work assiduously to encourage Nigerians to patronise made in Nigerian products. He said otherwise Nigerian oil will continue to create jobs and wealth for other nations because of the preference for foreign goods over made in Nigeria goods by Nigerians. The Minister also decried the attitude of Nigerians to work as some Nigerians consider certain jobs degrading even as income from such jobs could meet their needs. He said, “The only way we can take people out of poverty is if we can change them from mere population to working force.” He argued that Nigeria is blessed with everything that other developed nations have and would rise to greater height if the citizens change their attitude. The Summit was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Secretary to The Government of The Federation, Mr. Andrew David Adejoh. Also present at the occasion were the Minister of Defence, Representative of the Kano stat Governor, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Stakeholders from the organised Private Sector and Labour Union representatives. ...

Mar

2020

FUTA VC Applauds FG For Rehabilitation Of Internal Roads Intervention The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State, Prof. Joseph Adeola Fuwape has applauded the Federal Government for the initiative of intervention in the internal roads construction in the institution. The VC made the commendation while officially taking over 1.80 kilometers internal roads rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He appreciated the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and the entire Ministry for the internal roads intervention project at the institution. Prof. Fuwape solicited for the Honourable Minster, for the engagement of the students of Civil and Engineering Department of the institution in the Ministry's highway and housing projects in the state for practical experiences, adding that such partnership would help the students acquire the nitty gritty of roads and housing construction before graduation He however pleaded that more internal roads of the institution should be included in the second intervention phase of the project to increase it to 2.8 kilometer from the present one. He said," We are excited about this, we want more like Oliver Twist." In his remarks at the handing over ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Acting Controller of Works Ondo State, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Olajide Hussein said that the gap of Nigeria's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools. Mr. Fashola said that the internal road project at the Federal University of Technology Akure is an investment in education by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The Deputy Vice President of the Federal University of Technology Akure Students Union, Caroline Felix said that she was impressed by the internal road intervention project at the institution, adding that with this development, students would be able to attend lectures with ease. ...