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.

Jan

2020

Borrowing To Be Invested In Infrastructure Development-Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has said that Federal Government's borrowing would be invested in the development of the nation's infrastructure. Fashola disclosed this during his inspection tour of Highway projects in Niger State. The projects the Minister inspected were: the dualization of Suleja-Minna Phase I and phase II, the reconstruction of Bida-Lapai-Lambata road, the construction of Agaie-Katcha-Barro road, dualization of Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani road and rehabilitation of New Bussa-Kaiama road. Speaking during the inspection, he explained that borrowing invested on infrastructure would create jobs and help the country achieve self- sustaining economy. He said, "a nation 's wealth is measured by its infrastructure. " According to him: " the concern of Nigerians on government borrowing is legitimate, but borrowing should be weighed with the problem they are used to solve", he said. He said that, "people need infrastructure if they can see that the money borrowed is used to deliver critical infrastructure, then their queries can be assuaged." Each of the road projects inspected has the capacity to employ over a thousand workforce. This would help the Federal Government's drive in creating jobs for its teaming unemployment youths.According to the Project Manager of Salini Nigeria Limited the company handling the dualization of the Suleja-Mina road, Mr. Paolo Canpanella said that his company has over 300 staff in their payroll and that they are committed to completing the road on or before the completion date of January 2023. The dualization of Jebba-Mokwa-Bakani road in Niger State will ease transportation of agricultural produce, reduce the pressure on existing single-carriage road facilities, reduce travel time and ultimately reduce vehicle operating costs. ...

Dec

2019

Engage Federal Ministry Of Works And Housing On The State Of Nigeria Highways - Engr Aliyu The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu has charged Nigerians and the public in general to engage his Ministry on the state of the highways in the country with a view to improve their condition for ease of movement. Engr. Aliyu also enjoined the public to seek necessary information and clarification from his Ministry in order to be properly guided on infrastructure put in place by government to make life more meaningful for the citizens. He made the remark today in Abuja while hosting the Niger Delta Activist Forum who came to pay him a courtesy visit in the Ministry. The Minister noted that the President Muhammudu Buhari led government is serious, responsive and listens to the yearnings of Nigerians and has shown commitment in providing the necessary infrastructure by beefing the budget on roads from 16billion in 2015 to over N300 billion in the 2020 budget for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He told the Niger Delta Activist Group that, there was no opportunity in the past for people to interact with decision makers in the Works and Housing sectors. He said the Executive Order No. 5 signed into law by Mr. President is mostly about the Local Content and it is being observed at the Federal Executive Council in the award of contracts. He disclosed that roads that had reached 80% completion level would be given priority for completion in 2020, adding that on-going roads and projects would not be abandoned. He enjoined the pubic to keep engaging the controllers and directors in the Ministry on the state of the highways in the country. On the request made by the activists on the reconstruction of Calabar-Odukpani-Itu road, Engr. Aliyu stated that the Federal Government was taking necessary actions to fix the bad portions of that road. Earlier the President of Niger Delta Activist , Comrade Success Jack said that his association is a Pan Niger Delta Group committed to ensure that the policies of Federal Government get the right support and also to foster the spirit of peace and understanding between the Federal Governments and the people of the Niger Delta region The President noted that their mission was to draw Federal Government attention to the bad state of the Calabar –Odukpani –Itu road with a view to fix it in order to reduce the plight of commuters on that road Comrade Jack also spoke on the need to fix other roads in the Niger Delta Region that need attention. The President of the Association commended the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, the Minister of State , Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu and the staff of the Ministry for the commitment and passion in responding to the yearning of Nigerians in fixing Nigeria road infrastructure. Comrade Jack stated that his organization was willing to mobilize the indigenes of Niger Delta to collaborate with contractors to ensure their safety is guaranteed while executing their projects ...

Dec

2019

Fashola Not Defrauded Of Sum Of N3.1m The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has debunked recent Social Media reports that he was defrauded of the sum of N3.1 million by a Yahoo Boy who is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Setting the records straight on Monday, the Minister, who said he neither knew nor transacted any business with the suspect that involved or would have led to his being swindled, explained that the amount being mentioned was the worth of Air Miles which the suspect derived from fraudulently hacking into his (Minister’s) internet account and creating a false identity with which he, among other benefits, bought first class tickets to various parts of the world. Having persistently hacked into the accounts for over a period of six years, the suspect was tracked by the Minister until enough evidence was gathered which was then passed on to the security agencies. ...