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.

Oct

2017

Fashola Presides Over Signing Of PPA Between Qua Iboe Power Plant And NBET To Deliver 540MW To National Grid •Says milestone event is consistent with FG’s Roadmap on Power, ERGP •Advocates dedication, patriotism in service as building block of national development •QIPP will utilize Nigeria’s gas resources to increase our electricity generation capacity and reduce the cost of power”, says Sanusi The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday in Abuja presided over the signing of a 540 MW Power Purchase Agreement between the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and Qua Iboe Independent Power Plant saying it was consistent with the roadmap of the government on power which is one of the five principal components of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). In his remarks at the Ministry’s Conference Room venue of the event, Fashola explained that within the responsibility framework of the ERGP, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had drawn a roadmap for providing power for the country which, according to him, “is to start with getting incremental energy until we can stabilize; then we go to uninterrupted power”. The Minister said while the Ministry of Petroleum Resources bears the responsibility for the Energy component of the ERGP, his Ministry was saddled with the responsibility of the production and supply of sufficient energy and power for the people of Nigeria, adding, “a process that potentially adds 540 megawatts to our power store fits very well with our incremental power roadmap”. “Within our responsibility framework, we have drawn a roadmap for providing power for this country which is to start with getting incremental energy until we stabilize; then we go to uninterrupted power. That is our journey”, he said. Advocating dedication and patriotism among Nigerians in the service of the country, Fashola said such qualities should be a motivation for national service in or out of government and with or without title adding that with dedication and patriotism, there was a lot one could do to ultimately deliver one’s own share of the national commonwealth to help build prosperity for the people of Nigeria. The Minister commended developers of the plant-Black Rhino Group, Dangote Group, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), among others - for demonstrating the aforementioned virtues. He declared, “Well, I think all of the Private Sector partners, Mobil, NNPC, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, have demonstrated clearly that you don’t need to be in government and you don’t need a title to serve”. He told Nigerian investors, “There is a lot you can do with dedication, patriotism to ultimately deliver your own share of the national commonwealth to help build prosperity for our people”. Fashola thanked the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), for its efforts in bringing all the parties together to make the signing of the PPA possible adding that the ceremony was important not only because of the presence of the partners but also because the media would be able to share with the members of the public what was involved in delivering the project for the good of the people of Nigeria. The Minister declared, “I think this ceremony is important not just because we are here, but because I hope that those who cover this event will be able to share with the members of the public how much effort, how much team work, how much consensus building, how many people are really involved in order to bring ultimately to the doorsteps of Nigerians this very important commodity that is defining for our development and for our goal”. Thanking, particularly, the NBET Managing Director, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, and the Permanent Secretary, Power, in the Ministry, Engr. Louis Edozien, for his “very resolute determination in guiding his team and bringing all of them ultimately to safe harbour”, the Minister, however, expressed regrets that the media would not see the behind-the-scene efforts such as “the long distant calls, the emails in the dead of the night, the heated argument over the telephones and the plodding from office to office”, that preceded the event. He disclosed that at his Ministry’s Monthly Project Review meeting the day before, one of the projects reviewed was the preparation for the construction of the Ikot-Ekpene-Ikot-Abasi Line -which, according to him, the Qua Iboe Plant would depend on adding that the commitment of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to deliver on the project was not in doubt. “And we are looking at all the options to get that project back on track”, he said. Urging all the stakeholders to get to work, Fashola declared, “Incidentally and fortuitously, not only will Qua Iboe Power Plant benefit from it, it will also help us release the store of energy that needs to go out to the public from the Ibom Power Plant when all of those lines are finally delivered”. In his remarks earlier, Chairman of Black Rhino Group and Emir of Kano, His Highness Emir Muhammad Sanusi ll, said the project was being jointly developed by his Group, Dangote and the NNPC, following the purchase of the rights to do so from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited adding that the plant would be one of the lowest cost thermal power plants in Nigeria “due to its efficient combined-cycle design and competitive gas price”. Noting the importance of the project to the President and the Vice President, Emir Sanusi, who recalled the persistent follow-ups with the Power, Works and Housing Minister, other Ministers and Agencies concerned, promised that the partners would do everything possible to deliver it to Nigerians on time and schedule, added that in the next few months the partners would inject about $1.2Billion into the project. He declared, “QIPP will utilize Nigeria’s gas resources to increase our electricity generation capacity and reduce the cost of power”, adding that the plant represented “an example of how the Federal Government of Nigeria and private investors can work together to develop infrastructure that has a real socio-economic impact in our country”. In her remarks also, the Managing Director of NBET, Dr Marilyn Amobi, disclosed that the process took almost two years to get to the signing stage adding that the project started as an alliance between the NNPC and the Joint Venture Partners towards the response to the call by government to pursue investment in the power sector towards the privatization of Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry. Commending the Minister’s role in bringing the signing event to fruition, the NBET MD declared, “Hon. Minister, I think it will be very unfair if I fail to acknowledge your doggedness…” she said, adding that he should be applauded for his commitment to the entire process and sector. Also present at the ceremony were the Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, NNPC COO, Mr Saidu Mohammed, among other dignitaries and top officials from both the private and public sectors. ...

Oct

2017

Fashola calls for support to end Apapa gridlock, port congestions The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday in Lagos called for the collaboration of all stakeholders to tackle traffick gridlock, port congestion and other problems in Apapa and its environs. Fashola made the call at a stakeholders meeting on the ongoing Apapa Wharf Road reconstruction project in Surulere. The stakeholders at the meeting included the three financiers of the project, AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, Flour Mills of Nigeria Ltd and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Others were National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others. The stakeholders, after extensive deliberations, agreed to resolve issues of logistics and regulation of truckers and port operations. They called on shipping companies to return to the system of using their loading bays and effective call up systems to end port congestions. They also advised AP Molar Multi Terminal (APMT), whose cargo operations take hours to emulate the operations of Port Terminal Multipurpose Ltd (PTML) who have perfected the act of evacuating cargo within minutes. They agreed that emergency interventions should be carried out on the roads around Coconut bus stop area and some other bad portions. They resolved to have another inclusive meeting to carry Shippers, government regulatory agencies and other stakeholders who were absent at the gathering along to evolve permanent solutions, Fashola advised the stakeholders to organise forums where they could proffer solution to the problems and make recommendations to government to speed up solutions on various issues. The minister stressed the need to put other ports in the country to use to reduce pressure on the two major ports in Apapa and promised to work with his transport counterpart, Mr Rotimi Amechi, to involve the rail sector in finding solutions. He called for sacrifice on the part of the various stakeholders as the Yuletide season is approaching to ensure speedy solution to all the problems. “During this period when everybody is sacrificing something, let us sacrifice, it is an exchange, everybody must sacrifice. “This is not about us, it is about everybody,” he told stakeholders. He explained that procurement process for the Oshodi Tin Can Island road was ongoing. Earlier, Fashola had inspected ongoing rehabilitation works at Costain and its environs, which he told journalists was to ensure smooth roads during the festive period. Honorary adviser to the Dangote Group, Mr Joseph Makoju said that Dangote was handling and co-funding the Apapa Wharf Road reconstruction project as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Makoju said that it was painful that the project was being misunderstood by both the public and a section of the media who make negative remarks against the Dangote Group instead of commending it for giving back to society. He explained that the Dangote Group also suffered from the problems of gridlock and other problems caused by port congestions as it affected their businesses and operations as well. He added that the company was ready to tackle all problems that related to the construction raised at the forum and deliver the project within one year. “We give our assurances that we will deliver and we need your understanding,” he said. Mr Ashif Juma, Managing Director AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, contractors handling the project said that there was massive deployment of men and equipment to site as the rainy season ended adding that by November significant visible progress would be seen in the construction. Juma explained that it was not easy to work on old roads because some unexpected problems usually came up in the midst of the project. He added that the firm was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (FMPW$H) on the project and that work tempo would double in November. “We will work two shifts seven days a week. We cannot do this work without your help,” he told the other stakeholders. The NPA on its part promised to begin enforcement of traffic regulations in port areas which include Oshodi, Babs Aminasaun, Costain and Ijora Olopa road areas, NAN reports that Fashola, on June 17 signed the N4.34 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the reconstruction of the four kilometres Apapa Wharf road with AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd and other companies. The project is being funded by AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Flour Mills of Nigeria. Source: NAN ...

Oct

2017

Fashola campaigns for external borrowing to finance Capital Projects The Minister of Power, Works and Housing,Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has thrown his weight behind external borrowing to finance capital projects. The Minister made the disclosure while delivering his address at the 2nd Annual Nigerian Mining Week at the Nigerian Air Force Conference in Abuja on Tuesday 17th October, 2017. Fashola, who recalled that in 2016, the Federal Government committed the sum of N1.2 trillion on capital projects, which is an increase from 15% to 30%, emphasized the need to source for loans to finance the development of critical infrastructure for the Federal Government to fulfill its campaign promises. While commending the leadership of the Mines sector for the amazing milestones recorded within “so short a time”, the Minister noted that very little can be achieved within the Power industry without inputs from the sector. He said, “as we roll out transmission stations, towers, we install transformers, whether it is steel casing for the transformers, whether it is copper winding inside it, all of these stem from the operations of the mining industry”. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, earlier on commended the “Nigerian Mining Week,” as a networking platform and a learning turf for existing businesses. Fayemi noted that a recent World Risk Report published by the Mining Journal indicated that Nigeria has made remarkable improvements in both hard and perceived risk factors. He added that, “the Nigerian mining jurisdiction is now considered to have a better investment risk profile than Russia, China, India and several other leading jurisdictions”. Various stakeholders took their turns to discuss the challenges facing the sector and the need to collaborate amongst themselves towards the sustainable development of the sector. In attendance were the Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, Senior Partner, PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC), Uyi Akpata, representative of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’I, Mrs. Amina Sijuade, amongst others. ...