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.

Aug

2026

WORKS MINISTRY SPORTS CLUB COMMENCES 2026 SPORTS WEEK, COMMENDS UMAHI, GORONYO AND MANAGEMENT FOR SUPPORT The Federal Ministry of Works Sports Club has commenced its 2026 Sports Week with a series of activities aimed at promoting physical fitness, staff welfare, unity, teamwork, and excellence amongst the Ministry’s employees. As part of the Sports Week activities, the Sports Club, led by its officials and members, paid courtesy visits to key management officials of the Ministry today, Monday, 31 August 2026. The visits provided an opportunity for the Club to appreciate the leadership of the Ministry for its continued support for sports development, staff welfare and the activities of the Sports Club. Receiving the Sports Club’s delegation, *the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq.,* commended the Club for its achievements and contributions to the image of the Ministry, through its participation in various sporting competitions. The Minister of State congratulated the Club on its successes and assured the team of the Ministry's continued support. He expressed that the achievements of the Sports Club were not only about winning trophies but also about promoting the physical and mental well-being of staff, noting that a healthy workforce was essential to the effective discharge of their responsibilities. According to him, the Ministry would continue to encourage and support sporting activities that would keep staff physically fit, while also projecting the Ministry positively at national and inter-ministerial competitions. He congratulated the Sports Club for its commitment and urged its members to sustain the tempo and continue bringing glory to the Ministry. The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to *the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Alhaji Aminu Ahmed,* who assured them of his willingness to support its activities within the resources available to the Ministry. The *DOOPS* expressed optimism about the future of the Club and promised to do his best to support its programmes and activities. He, particularly, welcomed the planned hosting of future sporting activities in Kano, his home state, assuring the Club of the necessary support and hospitality within his capacity. Alhaji Ahmed also expressed his commitment to addressing some of the challenges confronting the Club, while acknowledging the current financial constraints facing the Ministry. In his remarks, the Director of Human Resource Management and Chairman of the Federal Ministry of Works’ Sports Club, Malam Ahmad Muhammad Tukur, appreciated the management of the Ministry for its continued support and urged members of the Sports Club to remain committed to excellence and the spirit of sportsmanship. He assured the Club of his continued support and encouraged members to maintain discipline, teamwork, and dedication, stressing that their achievements represented not only the Sports Club but the entire Ministry. The Sports Club also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, and the Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq. for their encouragement of sporting activities and passion for staff welfare. A major highlight of the Sports Week was the launch of the Federal Ministry of Works Sports Club’s magazine, Sport Waves, which received financial support from *a former Senator Yakubu Lado,* in collaboration with the *Director, Highways, Bridges and Design (B&D), Engr. Musa Saidu.* *Senator Lado* supported the publication of the Sport Waves magazine with the sum of *₦5 million* and pledged to transfer the funds to the Sports Club's account. He also promised to advertise his company in the next edition of the magazine. The gesture was described by the Sports Club as a significant boost to its efforts to promote sporting activities, document its achievements and further strengthen its relationship with stakeholders. Speaking during the commencement of the Sports Week activities, the Sports Manager, Mr. Fakande Ayorinde Adeniyi, said the Club decided to begin the celebration with *Courtesy Visits* to senior officials of the Ministry as a demonstration of respect and appreciation for their support. He further stated that the Sports Club would continue to work closely with the Ministry's management to sustain its achievements and make the Ministry proud. The Assistant Sports Manager, Mr. Tayo Omotosho, also expressed appreciation to the management and other supporters of the Club, noting that their encouragement had continued to boost the morale of members and inspire them to achieve more. He assured the leadership of the Ministry that the Sports Club would remain committed to excellence and continue to represent the Federal Ministry of Works positively at every sporting engagement. The 2026 Sports Week is expected to feature a range of sporting and fitness activities designed to promote healthy living, teamwork, friendship, and unity among staff of the Ministry. The Sports Club reaffirmed its commitment to using sports as a veritable platform for staff development, physical fitness, team spirit, and the positive representation of the Federal Ministry of Works. ...

Aug

2026

“THE WORST IS OVER; OUR GDP IS GROWING MORE THAN OUR POPULATION. THAT MEANS WE HAVE A FUTURE” - UMAHI TELLS NANS — As Nigerian Students Induct Him as Grand Patron, Hail Him as “One of the Finest” in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Cabinet The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has declared that Nigeria is now seeing stronger economic outlook under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now growing faster than its population. Umahi made the declaration on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, while speaking after he was formally inducted as Patron of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The minister described the development as a positive indication of Nigeria’s economic prospects, saying, “I was enthused to find out that our GDP is growing more than our population. That means we have a future.” The NANS leadership, led by its President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, had earlier commended Umahi for his contributions to national infrastructure and described him as “a worthy member of the Renewed Hope Cabinet and, indeed, as one of the finest public servants Nigeria has produced in the contemporary era.” The students said the recognition was not merely ceremonial but a reflection of Umahi’s visible contribution to road infrastructure and national development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. According to NANS, the roads and bridges being delivered under Umahi’s supervision are directly connected to the lives of Nigerian students, affecting their mobility, access to educational institutions, examinations, internships, businesses and employment opportunities. The students specifically cited major projects including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, Abuja-Kaduna-Minna route, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as examples of projects they said demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to improving national connectivity. Afeez also disclosed that NANS had studied project reports of the Federal Ministry of Works covering the period between May 2023 and May 2026 and expressed its intention to embark on nationwide project tours to inspect completed and rehabilitated projects. He said the students would use their platforms to communicate the impact of the projects to millions of Nigerian students, Nigerians and the wider world. Responding, Umahi challenged Nigerian students and young people to look beyond political sentiments and examine the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration objectively. “We have had somebody say, ‘President Tinubu is tired.’ How do you know he is tired? I am part of President Tinubu. The Minister of Interior, the FCT, all the ministers and all the SSAs are vibrant and working. So how do you just jump at that conclusion?” The minister urged Nigerians to demand concrete alternatives from those criticising the administration. “If you say that the President is not doing well, what is your alternative?” he asked, stressing that political promises must be backed by clear plans and a credible mission. He also called on students and other young Nigerians to take a position on issues affecting the country, arguing that remaining neutral in the face of visible progress was not always the right approach. “You may say that you are not politicians or that you will not take sides, but this is the time to take sides in our national affairs. It is time to take a stand,” Umahi said. On the economy, the minister acknowledged that the macroeconomy was only beginning to recover but urged Nigerians to consider the condition of the economy before the present administration took office and assess the reforms objectively. “You may say that the macroeconomy is just beginning to recover. What was it like before the President took over? Everybody agrees that the macroeconomy is being fixed. It is up to you to dissect the ongoing reforms and take a position.” Umahi also pointed to developments in the education sector, saying the stability being witnessed under the Tinubu administration had created an environment in which students were able to continue their studies without the disruption of nationwide strikes. “For the first time, students never went on strike. Never. Look at the stability of Nigeria. That has never happened throughout the history of this country.” “Where is the subsidy money?” Umahi explains Addressing questions surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy and where the resulting resources were being deployed, Umahi pointed to the scale of ongoing infrastructure projects across the country. He cited the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, which he said covers 375 kilometres and, when measured as a dual carriageway, amounts to 750 kilometres. According to the minister, more than ₦200 billion has already been spent on the project, with 480 kilometres of the dual carriageway completed and further sections nearing completion. “For the first time, we have been able to complete 118 kilometres of concrete pavement within 30 months. That has never happened,” he said. The Minister said the remaining works were expected to be completed by November, noting that the two projects on the route have a combined cost of ₦752 billion, with more than 80 percent already paid. He also highlighted the Sokoto-Zamfara-Zaria corridor, the Benue-Ninth Mile road, and the Bodo - Bonny Island road as examples of projects receiving significant attention under the Tinubu administration. On the Bonny Island project, he said: “For the first time, people will move from the island to the mainland in Bonny Island, where the LNG is produced. A project costing ₦280 billion under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been completed. The 39.7-kilometre road is fully done, and the people of Bonny are very happy. They are no longer dying at sea. They are now driving through the land.” The minister also spoke extensively about the administration’s legacy road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the expanded Northeast Fourth Legacy Project. He disclosed that the Northeast project, originally running from Akwanga through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu, had been extended through Yobe to Maiduguri, adding another 400 kilometres to the project. Umahi defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway against criticisms, saying the project was strategically important to the Niger Delta and would be completed. “I do not know why people are attacking the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. After all, this is coming from the Niger Delta, where the oil is coming from. Why is nobody attacking the other three Legacy Projects, but this one is being attacked? That is unfair and unrealistic. That project will be completed. In fact, over 50 percent of the entire stretch is already under construction.” The minister also used the occasion to speak about the development of the Southeast, saying President Tinubu had deliberately embarked on projects aimed at integrating the region into the national infrastructure network. “The Southeast, for the first time, is being remembered, and I thank the people in the Southeast because sometimes I say, ‘Listen, our people should not be sentimental.’” He said the administration’s approach to the region was intentional and urged the people of the Southeast to work with other parts of the country. “The President has a good intention to integrate the people of the Southeast, and I have to be very honest with you. If I were not a minister from the Southeast, we would not have been able to get the projects we have secured. It is intentional on the part of Mr. President. Go and right the wrongs of the Southeast.” Umahi cited the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway among the major projects transforming connectivity in the region. He also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the re-scoping and reconstruction of the Lokoja-Benin-Warri corridor, covering a total of 401 kilometres. The minister was particularly direct in urging the students to support President Tinubu in the 2027 election, arguing that Nigerians should support the administration if they believe its policies are producing results. “I want you to take a side. If you say you are on the list of a coalition and you say that what we are doing is good, then we have to take a stand to vote for the President in the coming election.” “Let him finish. Let him take back our country. Let him reposition our country.” Umahi also urged Nigerians to look beyond political rhetoric and focus on practical solutions to the country’s challenges. “Listening to others should not mean allowing yourselves to be insulted or blackmailed. Cheap talk will not solve our problems. Nobody is saying what he or she can do differently. The worst is over. The darkest part of the night is an hour before dawn.” He pointed to the decline in food prices as one of the developments Nigerians should consider in assessing the economy, recalling that a 50-kilogramme bag of rice, which he said had risen above ₦80,000 and at some point reached ₦100,000, was now selling at about ₦58,000. Umahi also stressed the administration’s commitment to transparency in the execution of road projects, saying the Ministry of Works had opened its projects to scrutiny by anti-corruption agencies. “Now, why are we doing this? Transparency. We have turned these projects over to the ICPC. They have gone round. We are ready for constructive criticism, and where necessary, we will make amends.” He added that the Ministry had also written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to inspect its projects. “We have nothing to hide in this administration.” The minister urged NANS to organise a major student engagement across the geopolitical zones where students could ask questions directly and hear the government’s explanations on its policies and projects. “Let me defend this administration. Organise it and let me come. Move students from across the zone to a central point where we can talk to them and address their concerns. We have to deliberate on the issues. We have to debate them. Ask your questions, and we will answer them.” He said he would attend such engagements with some ministers and Senior Special Assistants to the President, stressing that students were important stakeholders in the country’s future. Umahi further challenged young Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting public infrastructure and contributing positively to national development. “See something, say something. Together, we can take back our country because it belongs to us.” He said the responsibility for the performance of government should be placed on the officials directly responsible for specific sectors, rather than on the President for every operational issue. “I am here because the President gave me the responsibility to be in charge of roads and bridges. If I do not do it, I should be the one to be blamed, not the President. I am not the President. The President has divided himself into a number of his appointees. These appointees should be the ones to answer and take responsibility.” The minister concluded by thanking the students for the recognition and expressing his readiness to deepen collaboration with NANS. “I want to thank you very much.“ He described the students as important partners in the national development process and encouraged them to remain informed, ask questions and hold leaders accountable. The NANS President, in his address, said the association considered Umahi worthy of its patronage because of his record of public service, infrastructure delivery and commitment to national development. He said the roads being constructed under Umahi’s leadership would outlive the present administration and continue to serve generations of Nigerians. “History will not remember public officers merely because they occupied important offices. History will remember them for what they built, what they changed and the lives they touched.” Afeez formally welcomed Umahi into the NANS family as Patron, describing the partnership between the student body and the Federal Ministry of Works as an opportunity to bring government projects closer to young Nigerians and deepen informed national discourse. ...

Aug

2026

GORONYO: ENGINEERING INNOVATION, QUALITY ROADS CRITICAL TO NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION — Says Tinubu’s Flagship Highway Projects Will Connect Nigeria, Drive Trade and Create Prosperity The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has called on Nigerian engineers, innovators, professionals in the diaspora and international development partners to deploy their expertise and innovations towards accelerating Nigeria’s infrastructure development and economic transformation. Goronyo made the call while speaking at the 2026 UK Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, themed “Engineering Innovation for National Impact.” The Minister described engineering as more than technical expertise, stressing that it remains a critical foundation for Nigeria’s national development, economic growth and prosperity. He said Nigeria, with its large population, abundant resources and immense human capital, could only achieve sustainable transformation by embracing innovation, professionalism and deliberate investment in infrastructure. According to him, “Roads lead to prosperity. They are not just pathways of asphalt and concrete; they are the arteries of commerce, agriculture and industry, carrying the lifeblood of our economy.” Goronyo noted that quality road infrastructure serves as a major enabler of economic growth, facilitates movement of people and goods, reduces transportation costs, creates employment opportunities and strengthens trade across the country. He said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to infrastructure development through significant investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s flagship legacy highway projects, describing them as strategic infrastructure corridors designed to strengthen connectivity among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and unlock economic opportunities. He listed the projects to include the 750-kilometre Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway; the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway; the Trans-Sahara Trade Route (Calabar–Abuja); and the 1,100-kilometre Akwanga–Jos–Maiduguri Superhighway. Goronyo explained that the projects were not merely roads, but strategic economic lifelines designed to integrate communities, facilitate trade, strengthen regional connectivity and stimulate economic activities. He further emphasised the importance of professional standards, regulatory compliance and accountability in the engineering sector, noting that the Federal Ministry of Works remains committed to ensuring that public infrastructure is delivered to the highest standards. Goronyo said the Ministry had fully endorsed the proactive regulatory philosophy of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), including stronger sanctions for professional misconduct, technical monitoring mechanisms and enhanced professional development through the Engineering Residency Programme. He stated that the Ministry, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. (Sen.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, was intensifying project audits and technical oversight to ensure that only qualified, competent and duly registered professionals are entrusted with critical public infrastructure projects. Goronyo urged Nigerian engineers to see themselves as guardians of public safety and national development, stressing that engineering excellence must remain central to the delivery of durable and sustainable infrastructure. He also extended an invitation to Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and international partners to bring their expertise, innovations, investments and global experience to Nigeria. “Nigeria is open for business. Bring your talents, innovations and investments. Join us through Public-Private Partnerships, tax credit schemes and engineering collaborations. Together, we can build roads and bridges that do more than connect cities; they can connect dreams, aspirations, opportunities and prosperity,” he said. Rt. Hon. Goronyo expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Glasgow Branch, for the invitation and for providing a platform for Nigerian engineers and international professionals to exchange ideas on how engineering can contribute to national development. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where movement is seamless, logistics are efficient, infrastructure is sustainable and prosperity is widely shared. ...

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Nov

2025

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Nov

2024

FORMER MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, DR CHRISTOPHER OGBONNAYA ONU WAS A GREAT TRAILBLAZER AND SHINING LIGHT TO HIS PEOPLE. HE MARKED THRESHOLDS IN INTELLECTS, INTEGRITY, INDUSTRY, AND PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

-SEN. UMAHI

BEING A TRIBUTE PRESENTED IN HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENCY, LATE DR. CHRISTOPHER OGBONNAYA ONU, CON, BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS, HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. SEN. NWEZE DAVID UMAHI, CON, DURING A TRIBUTE NIGHT HELD AT YAR’ADUA CENTRE, DATED 4TH NOVEMBER 2024.

I received the sad news of the passing of my dear brother, His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, CON with profound shock and a deep sense of loss. His call to eternal glory on the 11th day of April 2024 at the age of 72 years was received with grief and deep sorrow.

Dr. Christopher Onu was a great trailblazer and a leadership light in Uburu Community and Ebonyi State, where I hail from. He was not just a mentor to me, he was a kinsman whose positive marks inspired great leadership motivations to his people. He was charming in character and charismatic in leadership. While alive, he marked a threshold in intellects, integrity, industry, and passion for excellence in all his endeavours; he was a great illustrious son of Uburu Community who made an immeasurable impact in nation-building and service to humanity.

Though he departed at the prime of his leadership and service to humanity, we shall forever cherish the values he bequeathed and the gains of the service he rendered as pioneer elected Governor of Abia State, former National Chairman of the All People’s Party (APP), first Presidential flagbearer of APP, former Honourable Minister of Science and technology and a host of other services he rendered to his community and the nation. Our consolation and fortitude are in the assurances that he lived the true purpose of life, which is service to God and humanity.

My deepest condolences go to his dear wife, children, the entire family of HRH, late Eze David Abba Onu, Eze Adu l of Uburu, and the government and people of Ebonyi State. May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.

As he makes his journey to immortality, I pray for God's eternal mercies upon him and divine fortitude and comfort to all of us who are impacted by this irreparable loss.

Thanks, and God bless you.

SPEECHES

Apr

2025

WELCOME REMARKS BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, ENGR. OLUFUNSO O. ADEBIYI FNSE, DURING THE MID-TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS DECISIONS REACHED IN 29^TH NCW FOR THE PREPARATION OF 30TH EDITION OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

PROTOCOLS

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this Mid-Term Review Meeting in preparation for the 30th National Council on Works (NCW). I extend my profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Works for approving this important gathering, which is a vital step towards ensuring the successful implementation of resolutions from our previous deliberations.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the Nasarawa State Government for the support and hospitality towards the hosting of the meeting in the State Capital. My gratitude equally extends to our distinguished stakeholders who have taken the time to be part of this crucial discourse.

RATIONALE FOR THE MID-TERM REVIEW MEETING

This Mid-Term Review Meeting serves as a statutory activity critical to tracking the progress made in implementing key resolutions from the 29th National Council on Works, which was held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, from 15th to 18th July 2024. As we approach the 30th NCW, it is imperative that we take stock of our achievements, challenges, and the way forward.

The main objective of the maiden Mid-Term Review/ Preparatory meeting is to provide a veritable and suitable platform for critical Stakeholders in the road infrastructure Sector to have a robust national consideration on the dynamics and emerging issues concerning the sector, while the specific objectives for convening the meeting include to:

Assess the progress of newly deployed initiatives in the construction and maintenance of Nigerian road, especially the “Concrete pavement alternative”;
Examine access to alternative funding sources for argumentation of government scarce resources, especially leveraging on the Public Private Partnership models in construction and e-tolling of economic routes for maintenance of road infrastructure;
Evaluating the progress made so far in the implementation of key decisions reached during the 29^th edition of the NCW held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State in July, 2024
Identity and benchmark constraints and challenges as well as do a SWOT analysis and make recommendations on the way forward; and
Make holistic recommendations and come up with a roadmap to guide Stakeholders in the preparation of a detailed Status of Implementation Report” for presentation at the 30^th Edition of NCW.

The discussions at this plenary session will set the tone for the deliberations of our six dedicated Desk Review Groups, which have been carefully structured to cover key technical and policy aspects of infrastructure development.

The Desk Review Group on Policy Formation and Implementation Decisions is expected to analyze policy frameworks and regulatory mechanisms guiding infrastructure projects, evaluating their effectiveness and proposing necessary adjustments to enhance policy coherence and sustainability.

The Desk Review Group on Institutional Strengthening Decisions will examine strategies for enhancing the capacity and efficiency of institutions responsible for infrastructure development, focusing on governance structures, inter-agency collaboration, and workforce competency.

The Desk Review Group on Alternative Technologies Decisions is tasked with exploring innovative construction methodologies and materials that offer cost-effective, durable, and sustainable solutions in road and infrastructure development.

The Desk Review Group on Technical and Operational Decisions will assess engineering standards, project execution models, and maintenance strategies, ensuring that technical best practices are integrated into the sector’s operational framework.

The Desk Review Group on Alternative Funding Mechanisms Decisions will evaluate existing and emerging financing models, identifying viable options for sustainable funding of infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships, concessional funding, and other financial instruments.

Finally, the Desk Review Group on Rule of Law and Good Governance will review compliance with legal and ethical standards in the sector, ensuring adherence to procurement laws, transparency, and accountability in project implementation.

As we embark on this review process, I urge all technical experts, policy advisers, and stakeholders present to engage in robust discussions, leveraging data-driven insights and global best practices to enrich our deliberations. The recommendations from this session will serve as the foundation for policy refinement, institutional reforms, and strategic decision-making at the forthcoming 30th NCW.

In this regard, we have invited three distinguished Resource Persons from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Central Delivery and coordinating Unit (CDCU), the Budget and National Economic Planning and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to share their expertise and insights. Their contributions will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and provide strategic direction for achieving our collective goals.

I extend my profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister for his unwavering leadership and commitment to infrastructure transformation in Nigeria. Let us remain focused on our collective mission to build a resilient, innovative, and well-governed infrastructure ecosystem that will drive national development. I look forward to insightful contributions and practical resolutions that will enhance the effectiveness of the Works Sector.

CONCLUSION

As we engage in fruitful deliberations over the next few days, I encourage all participants to be proactive, open-minded, and solution-driven. The impact of our discussions here will go a long way in shaping the deliberations of the 30th NCW and, ultimately, the trajectory of infrastructure development in Nigeria.

Thank you, and I wish us all productive deliberations.