Federal Ministry of Works

Jun

2026

LATEST PRESS

CEMENT MANUFACTURERS MUST REDUCE PRICES, TINUBU IS RETAKING NIGERIA — UMAHI

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has called on cement manufacturers across the country to immediately reduce the price of cement, insisting that the current cost of the product is placing pressure on ongoing infrastructure projects and increasing demands for contract variations.

Umahi made the call while delivering keynote address at the official unveiling of the new corporate identity of Lafarge, now rebranded as HBM, a member of the HUAXIN Group, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel on June 21, 2026.

Speaking before industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders, the Minister emphasized that the Federal Government would engage cement manufacturers from July 1 to address the issue of cement prices. “I want to insist that Lafarge now HBM and other manufacturers of cement should reduce their prices,” Umahi declared.

“We shall be engaging on this from First of July. Manufacturer of Cement must reduce their prices because the contractors are chocking me to review their contracts. But nobody is reviewing anybody’s contract. It’s the manufacturers of cement that should review their cost.”

The Minister noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is investing heavily in critical infrastructure across the country, creating unprecedented opportunities for manufacturers and investors. He urged HBM and other industry players to expand their capacity to meet the growing demands of the nation’s infrastructure revolution.

Commending the company on its transition and renewed commitment to the Nigerian market, Umahi assured the management of government support and partnership. “I commend you very highly and I say welcome onboard and we are going to work together. The market is smaller than what the president is doing. So, enlarge your coast,” he said.

The Minister used the occasion to highlight the remarkable progress being recorded under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of infrastructure development. He pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of the evidences of the administration’s bold vision and commitment to national transformation.

According to him, the quality and scale of the project have continued to attract global attention and admiration. “When the Dudge Bank came to evaluate our project, they said it was undervalued and that the project is of topmost quality. Today, Our neighboring nations are coming to steal the technology of the coastal highway.”

Umahi expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the leadership and political will driving the country’s infrastructure renaissance, assuring Nigerians that the administration remains firmly on course to restore national prosperity. “I want to use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I commit that Mr. President is committed to retake this country. The President knows what he is doing. The vision and mission are achievable and we are on course and this country will be taken back for the good of Nigerians.”

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. ...

Dec

2019

Edo State Government Commends Federal Government On Efforts To Fix Ekpoma Erosion Challenge The Government of Edo State has commended the Federal Government on efforts being made to fix the perennial erosion problem in Ekpoma , Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki gave the commendation when he received in audience a team of officers of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing led by the Director Highway Design Road for the South South Zone. Engr. Oluropo Oyetade during a courtesy visit Governor Obaseki assured that Edo State Government would give the required support and cooperation to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to commence and deliver the erosion control project at the Ekpoma stretch of the dual carriageway from Obajana to Benin City. Governor Obaseki assured that his government would help to sensitize the people on structures to be demolished and compensated for the smooth take-off and completion of the erosion control project in Ekpoma. The Governor stressed the need for the Federal Government to fix the bad portions of arterial roads within and outside Edo State because of their social economic importance. Some of the arterial roads among others identified by Governor Obaseki to be rehabilitated for easy flow of traffic are: Okene to Benin, Sapele – Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt – Onitsha , Agbo –Okene roads. The Governor noted that the entry points to most of the arterial roads were bad and should be rehabilitated as a matter of national emergency. He commended the efforts being made by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for the on-going construction and rehabilitation of the dual carriage road from Obajana junction in Kogi state to Benin City, the Edo state capital . Speaking earlier Engr. Oluropo Oyetade said that the purpose of their visit was to brief the Executive Governor of Edo State the plan of the Ministry to fix the perennial erosion problem at the Ekpoma axis of the Obajana –Benin dual carriage way and inspect the site of the project Engr Oyetade also sought for the support and cooperation of the Edo State Government in sensitizing the people on structures that would be demolished and compensated for the smooth execution of the erosion control challenge. Engineer Oyetade assured the governor that frantic efforts were being made by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to fix the failed portions of on the Obajana – Benin City dual carriage way for free flow of traffic during the 2019 yuletide. He also assured that at least one alignment of the four sections dual carriage way would be delivered by the Federal Government on or before June 2020. ...

Dec

2019

OBAJANA – BENIN ROAD: One Alignment Of The Road To Be Completed In Six Months The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensure that one alignment of the Obajana –Benin road is completed before June 2020. The road which is in four sections,i.e. section one to four was awarded in 2012 but due to paucity of fund the job lingered. Speaking during the inspection tour of the road, the Director of Highway Design Road, Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Oluropo Oyetade said that the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN had given both the contractors and controllers of works as well as engineers of the Ministry a marching order to repair and restore portions of the road affected by adverse weather condition such as erosion menace. He said, “the Minister has been meeting with contractors, controllers of works and directors since September to look at the challenges and progress of work on our highways.” Speaking further, Engr. Oyetade stated that government was also carrying out some palliative measures in curbing the perennial flooding at the Ekpoma section of the road. He assured Nigerians plying the road of pleasurable travel time during the 2019 yuletide.“All the design problems the four sections are having are being looked into, we will give a final solution to the erosion challenges we are facing on the portion of the road” he explained. Earlier, on a courtesy visit to the Onojie of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness Barrister A.E Abumere II, received by the Personal Assistant on Security and Business matter to the Onogie, Chief OnioBenson Idoboiwa,the Director called for the cooperation and support of the host community as the construction would affect some structures along the way. He added that compensation would be paid for any structure affected. Responding,Chief Omo Benson reassured the Federal Government’s delegation of the community’s maximum support and cooperation, saying,“We are happy and waiting to celebrate the completion of the road. No Esan man will attack any person that is bringing development to Esan land as demonstrated during the construction of Ambrose Ali University, Epkoma.” Also excited by the Federal Government's effort on the erosion control projectin Ekpoma is one Akhuewu Ogbemudia an indigene of Ukpenu – Community of Ekpoma. He said:“It is a welcome relief because the road has been a big problem to them for a long time now. As government has remembered us we say thank you and we will support what government is doing in this community.” A staff of Dantata and Sawoe construction company handling the road Surv. Bashir Atanda said that his company has the capacity to deliver the job within six months iffunded. A representative of the Edo State Government , Director of Highway Maintenance, Engr (Mrs) Dupe Bello was part of the team that toured the Ekpoma section of the Obajana –Benin road. ...