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.

Nov

2019

Mobolaji Johnson : Fashola Mourns Passage Of An Illustrious Pioneer The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has expressed deep sadness and condoled with the Government and people of Lagos State over the death of the first Military Governor of the State, Brigadier- General Mobolaji Johnson. Fashola, who served for two tenures as the 13th Governor of Lagos State from 2007 – 2015, described General Johnson as an illustrious pioneer, a man of singular vision, integrity and unwavering duty whose loss is “one that is shared by an entire nation.” According to the Minister, “General Johnson was a dedicated soldier and public servant and a loving husband and father. As the first governor of the newly created Lagos State in 1967, he faced immediate challenges in leading a restive federal capital territory. He handled those challenges with tremendous courage and unwavering grace.” Noting that the late elder statesman established a strong administrative structure for the State, Fashola declared : “Beyond governing a state which was at the heart of a divisive national civil war, General Johnson was an administrative trailblazer. Along with key civil servants like Adeyemi-Bero and Folarin Coker, he laid a template for civil service practices and procedures which set Lagos State apart as a centre of excellence.” Recalling his appeal, as Governor, during the launch of the Biography of the late Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson titled, Lagos State-My Life of Service with Integrity, in 2010, that past leaders should document their periods of Stewardship, Fashola noted that such documentation that showed the great infrastructural strides like how the Lagos City Hall was built, how the Badagry Expressway was constructed, how the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Complex was built, among several others would serve as inspiration to future leaders that things were successfully done before and could still be done again. Fashola said he would personally miss the wise counsel and support of GeneralJohnson. “During my own tenure as Lagos State Governor, General Johnson was always ready with counsel and advice. If there was any public event or occasion regarding the welfare of the state, his towering figure was certain to be found present,” he said.¥ “On behalf of my wife, Abimbola, we extend our deepest condolences to his entire family. His loss is one that is shared by an entire nation,” Fashola said. ...

Oct

2019

NASS To Support Works Ministry Deliver On Roads The Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Works haveunanimously agreed to give the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing the necessary support to ensure thaton-going road projects in the country are expeditiously constructed and rehabilitated. The assurance was given yesterday during the 2020 Budget Defence of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing at the National Assembly, Abuja. While answering questions on issues of the deplorable condition of roads in the country and the delay to commence repairs, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN maintained that the rainy season was not the ideal period for road construction and repairs due to the attendant problem of flood .Fashola stressed that very soon Nigerians wouldwittiness a turnaround in road repairs as his Ministry would swing into action. The Minister, however, maintained that inadequate fundingwas the majorchallenge hindering his Ministry from realizing its mandate and set goals. He further added that while the number of roads that needed to be repaired kept increasing on daily basis, the fund to fix them was grossly inadequate and at times notavailable. The Minister revealed that his Ministry was usually saddled with the problem of land compensation from communities, individuals and various tribes who make exorbitant claims for compensation from the Federal Government. He therefore called on the legislators and the State Governors to help his Ministry out in this regard. Fashola suggested prioritization of the major roads for completion and rehabilitation. According to him, priority in the construction and rehabilitation of roads should be given to the major highways that connect various state capitals, the sea ports, air ports, thefuel deportsamong others. He implored that the repairs of these critical major roads should be staggered and evenly spread across the six geo-political zones across the country so that no zone, individual or group of persons will complain of neglect or marginalization. Earlier, the Chairman of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aleiro suggested Public Private Partnership Financing Strategy to fix the Nigeria’s roads. The Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, Engr. Abubakar Karbiru Abubakar Bichi reiterated the support of the members to collaborate with the Ministry to address the challenges of roads in Nigeria. The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bukar and directors of the Ministry were at the 2020 Budget Defence. ...

Oct

2019

N'Assembly Commends Fashola For Effective Utilization of 2019 Budget Members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development (Senate & House of Reps) have commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN for effectively utilising the 2019 budget on projects that were beneficial to the citizens. This commendation was given when the Minister appeared before the Joint Committee to defend the Ministry’s 2020 budget, Wednesday, October 23, 2019. While appraising the performance of the 2019 budget of his ministry, Fashola listed some special projects executed by his ministry in rural communities across the country in 2019 which include:construction of classrooms, boreholes, medical health care centres in rural areas and construction of drainage to slum communities. He pointed out that most of the projects were requested by the parliamentarians for the rural dwellers within their various constituencies. On the remarkable success of Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and Letters of Consent to respective applicants by the ministry,, a member of the committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya from Kano State, noted that the letters of consent issued to the people enhanced the economic performance and development of his people because having the papers indicating their ownership of the land gave them the authority to do whatever they wanted with the land. The Minister, went ahead to disclose to the joint committee that the 2020 budget proposal of the ministry gave priority to some specific housing projects already embarked upon by the ministry. The projects according to him, include: the completion of the ongoing construction of 1155 blocks of the 2383 units of houses under the National Housing Programme (NHP) in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,completion of on going construction of Federal Secretariats in six states; Anambra, Bayelsa, Gombe , Nassarawa, Osun and Zamfara, installation of solar panels as alternative source of energy at the ministry's headquarters,Abuja. Others according to the minister are: fulfilment of Nigeria's financial obligations to Shelter Afrique for the construction of affordable housing of which Nigeria is a key player. Fashola also mentioned in the priority list: the provision of infrastructure by building access roads, drainages for erosion control for social housing schemes in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Kwara and Osun States, and settlement of liabilities incurred under the Special Projects Unit, which caters for project under the Millennium Development Goals MDAs and Sustainable Development Goals . The Minister,however, faulted the practice of measuring budget performance by funds expended on projects but not on the actual work done. He explained that most times the projects were carried out on priority bases, therefore the fund made available might not be enough to carry out all the projects needed by Nigerians. Mr. Fashola charged members of the joint committee to encourage members of their constituencies to form cooperative groups through which land could be acquired from states to access credit and build genuine houses of choice. He further revealed that that the ministry was planning to launch the cooperative system for ease of accessing land and credit for providing affordable houses for Nigerians. While applauding the Minister for the judicious use of fund for the housing sector in the 2019 budget the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Dr.Sam Egwu admonished the the Honourable and his team to ensure that the implementation of the year 2020 budget was better than that of 2019. Members of the joint committee also advocated that more funds should be given to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to enable it achieve it goals. ...