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.

Jun

2025

PPP IS SOLE DRIVER OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT -Barrister Goronyo The Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit 2025, hosted by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), had the theme: Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda". Its aim was to assemble policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to engage in insightful discussions about the evolving landscape of infrastructure in Nigeria and its global implications. The Summit, which held on June 17 and 18 at the State House Banquet Hall and Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Nigeria, also explored how collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors can drive transformative change. The Federal Ministry of Works, which is a major stakeholder in this initiative, was represented at the event by its Minister of State, Barrister Bello Mohammed Goronyo, who presented to the Summit, the perspective of his ministry on Highway Development and Management Initiative ( HDMI) and various concessions under PPP arrangements like the 227.2km Akwanga-Lafiya -keffi and the recently signed 127km Benin-Asaba Barrister Goronyo actively participated in and impacted on.the panel discussion, where he emphasised the commitment of the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinibu to fix Nigeria's infrastructural deficit, revealing that Nigeria has over 200,000km of roads 35,000,km of which are of Federal. He told the Summit that the current government inherited over 2,600projects, with a total worth of about 19 trillion, explaining that since the nation's budget cannot fund these projects, there is a necessity for PPP as a feasible option. The Minister pointed to the need for concessionaires to be open and transparent in their agreement because "we cannot in the name of PPP, mortgage our country by signing agreements that tend to favour concessionaires." Barrister Goronyo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for recognising infrastructure as key driver of economic growth and development. ...

Jun

2025

WORKS MINISTER ORDERS TERMINATION OF CONTRACT WITH LEVANT CONSTRUCTION LTD ON BENIN- SAPELE-WARRI ROAD PROJECT FOR NON-PERFORMANCE DIRECTS JOINT MEASUREMENT. DESCRIBES AS ABSOLUTELY UNFOUNDED MALICIOUS AND UNCHARITABLE SPECULATIONS THAT THE NORTH IS BEING MARGINALIZED ON ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RENEWED HOPE ADMINISTRATION The Honourable Minister of Works,His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has ordered the termination of the contract with Levant Construction Ltd on the reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri Road (Section 1: Benin - Imasabor) being executed under Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, due to non-performance. In a briefing after a meeting with the Chief Executives of GELD Construction Ltd and SKECC Nigeria Ltd over the delay in the execution of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road project held in his office, Mabushi-Abuja on 17th June 2025, and which had in attendance, the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo Esq, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works, Engr.Olufunso Adebiyi, and directors of key departments, the Honourable Minister expressed disapproval over the failure and/or neglect of Messrs Levant to live up to expectation in their contractual duties in respect of the section of the road awarded to them. He stated, “We have three sections there. We have the Levant section. Unfortunately, Levant has not lived up to expectation. We even had to intervene and beg the Governor of Edo State to please get the worst sections of that route done. We divided the worst sections into two and told Levant to concentrate on one part. While the Governor of Edo State intervened,which I think is about 23 kilometers for N35 billion, and that section the Governor of Edo State intervened is ongoing very well, Levant has since left site. We gave them a series of warning letters. We also gave them the last termination notice. When a termination notice is given to you, it is for you within 14 days to go back to the site and begin to do those things you were not doing. This time is for them to remobilize to the site and for them to work, but they did not respond." He directed the Permanent Secretary get the job properly terminated and write them a letter for a joint measurement, and also to write their bank to request for repayment of the APG failing which the matter would be taken to EFCC. The Honourable Minister, however, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the discussion with SKECC Nigeria Ltd and Geld Construction Ltd over the need for them to step up work on the respective sections of the road project being handled by them. He commended the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency,Rt Sen. Monday Okpebholo for their interventions on some kilometers of that road project. “I have called the Governor of Delta State, and I commend him for the very beautiful work he's doing. Three flyovers at the same time, beautiful flyovers. In this country, we need such beauties. We have also learned from that design. So we appealed to him to get any contractor within that zone to put ten kilometers with reinforced concrete. He has accepted to do that. So I commend him very highly, which means that the Governor of Edo State is intervening in that section, and the Governor of Delta State is intervening in that section. We are grateful to them." On the jobs by Messrs SKECC and Messrs Geld, the Honourable Minister stated, “SKECC has about one kilometer which they started with milled asphalt, yes the money in the budget for SKECC within their own section, NNPC allocation, is exhausted. But we are pleading with them to go back and remedy this one kilometer that they have milled the existing asphalt." For Messrs Geld, he said, "Geld has accepted to go back to their own section, and we've agreed to review their project to cater for the unforeseen circumstances that they encountered. So they are going back to the site, and we've agreed to work very well with them. And we're happy about that. And the second job they have, which is Lokoja-Abuja road, we've also agreed that they should go back to the site and review the project, because as of today, the asphalt cost is 9,000 per square meter, whereas asphalt is about 30,000 per square meter. So they are going back to the site on trust, and we're going to do that. And then you get to Itoki – Ikorodu road, which is 34 kilometers. We've agreed with them on all the issues. They are going back to the site, and I thank Mr. President for his interest in all the projects in the federation.” While reacting to statements by some groups who purport to speak on behalf of Northern Elders and who alleged that the Federal Ministry of Works is doing more projects in the South than in the North, the Honourable Minister debunked such impressions as false and misleading, noting that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has been consistently inclusive in the implementation of road and bridge projects across the six (6) Geo-Political zones, both in the execution of the inherited ongoing road projects and in the distribution of the Renewed Hope road Legacy Projects. While recounting the numerous ongoing projects in the north, he stated, “ In this ministry, we don't count where anybody came from. We don't count where projects are cited. We are using the example of Mr. President who came on board. He took all the inherited projects of the ministry and continued to go with them. He didn't want to know the lopesidedness of the projects. For example, this Tax Credit of NNPC is only 5% in South West and 4% in South East, Niger State has 26% alone. So, he didn't want to care about where these inherited projects are. He had to, as a very unique leader, take over the entire thing, and he's going on with them. And so we should stop looking at a project as it's coming from the North, it's coming from the South because the Southern people use the roads of the North, and the Northern people use the roads of the South. So we should see ourselves as one people one country, this is very important.” Also responding to other uninformed criticisms on the distribution and funding of projects across the Zones, he said, "they talked about Second Niger Bridge. They talked about Lagos-Ibadan. They said Lagos-Ibadan is ₦195 billion. What they didn't know is that ₦195 billion is the total contract sum from the past administration, and that what this administration is putting to complete the project is only ₦33 billion. So it's not ₦195 billion. They talked about Second Niger Bridge. This section II A is ₦134 billion, and section II B is ₦174 billion. Now, if you look at the projects in the North, just to properly inform the people, you look at Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria- Kano road, Sections I and III. It's ₦252 billion. 30% is already paid for that job. And it's being done with the same quality of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The job is ongoing. Section II is 164 kilometers, and it is ₦525 billion. And it's being done with concrete, the same quality of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Mr. President has approved 30% payment, which is ₦152 billion, and work is ongoing. You come and see the project that was awarded in March 2023, which is the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna, a total of 750 kilometers, totaling initial cost of ₦825 billion. That project is ongoing.There was no shovel on the project before we came on board. It's Mr. President that is doing the project. In Sokoto axis, by August, CBC would have completed about 50 kilometers on Continuously Reinforced Concrete, the same quality Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. We have the Mothercat. We have the Tracta. We have the Sectraco working, major top companies that are doing the project. We have Zaria-Nkru project, which is 152 kilometers.That project is ongoing. We have the project that covers the BUA Tax Credit, which is 256 kilometers, that is going through Jigawa, Kano, Katsina. It's also under BUA Tax Credit. We have the Kano Northern Bypass. That project is ongoing. We have Section l of Kano-Maiduguri, 100.9 kilometers by Tracta. That project is ongoing. We have the Dikwa project, which is 52 kilometers in Borno State. That project is ongoing under Dangote Tax Credit.You have the Bama project in Borno State, which is 49 kilometers. That project is ongoing under Dangote Tax Credit. We have section V of the Kano - Maiduguri project being done by CCECC, that project is ongoing. We have the fourth Renewed Hope Legacy Project of Mr. President, which is the Akwanga- Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Superhighway, 439 kilometers. We are completing the design by the directive of Mr. President. It was on flexible pavement. President said, "No, I want it double carriageway, three lanes each, concrete pavement. We have the Maraba-Keffi project, 43 kilometers by two, ₦73 billion by China Harbor. That project is ongoing. We have the Makurdi down to 9th mile Enugu, 260 kilometers by two, which is about a billion U.S. dollar project. That project is ongoing. We have the Manado project in Kebbi State. That project is ongoing. Time will fail me to read out the projects that Mr. President is doing in the North and also doing in the South. So, when you look at the four legacy projects of the President, the North has 52%, and the South has 48%. Let me tell you something. People talk about Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Yes, we procured Section I, which is ₦1.068 trillion, 30% has been paid. We procured Section II, which is the flyovers of Section I and Section II, passing through Dangote Refinery, passing through swamp, which is about ₦1.6 trillion. Yes, we have procured Section III A and III B, which is the end of the project, in Akwa Ibom and Cross River, which is about ₦1.33 trillion. When you aggregate this thing, this is about 3 point something trillion Naira. But then you get to Kebbi, we have 258 kilometers of one carriageway, which we procured for about ₦958 billion, only one section. The second carriageway is going to FEC. So, when you put the two together, you have about ₦2 trillion on the Kebbi axis alone. Then Sokoto is 120 kilometers, where my brother, the Honourable Minister of State for Works, hails from. We've already procured ₦454 billion for the 120 kilometers. And by the time you procure the second one, you're almost about a trillion. So, the two together are about ₦3 trillion. It is done with the same quality of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The one that's coming from Cross River to Ebonyi, to Benue, to Kogi to Nasarawa, to Abuja, Section I has been procured which is ₦362 billion for 118 kilometers. It is being procured, and we are just reviewing it to include an additional 5 kilometers of road because of underlying factors. So, Mr. President is very committed. I've never seen such a unique President." For those who criticize the pace of work on Eleme-Onne project, which is also a Tax Credit project, the Honourable Minister explained, "When we came on board, the total cost was ₦156 billion for 30 kilometers of the road, and plus decompile towards Akwa Ibom section of the East West road, and then also a bridge at Aleto, and then four flyovers. One flyover has been started at refinery junction, and then Aleto Bridge is ongoing, very beautiful design, 80-meter span there, which is a beauty to behold. Let me say that the contractor, RCC, after the initial fight with them,they are behaving very well and doing beautiful work now. People were saying that we did not complete one carriageway. We've completed one carriageway. But they now say, oh, if you've completed, why are you doing asphalt on the same carriageway? If you go and check where we are doing asphalt on the same carriageway, you will find out that it is on the location of the flyover. We are not supposed to do that. But because we wanted a seamless traffic movement, we said, "Okay, come and do asphalt in those locations." The Honourable Minister expressed commitment to the Ministry’s mission of restoring the confidence of Nigerians on the road infrastructure nationwide and thus make the people appreciate the transformational power of the renewed Hope administration of Mr. President. Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works ...

Jun

2025

SEN. UMAHI FELICITATES WITH PRESIDENT TINUBU ON DEMOCRACY DAY, HAILS HIM AS A CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY. I am delighted to on behalf of the management of the Federal Ministry of Works, convey our profound felicitations to a champion of democracy and vision bearer of the Renewed Hope Agenda, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on this auspicious commemoration of the 26th anniversary of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, this 12th June 2025. 2. Your Excellency, we are enthused to celebrate this remarkable event courtesy of your rewarding leadership stewardship. Your struggle for the redemocratization of Nigeria and your emergence as the 5th democratically elected President of the 4th Republic are a clear indication of God’s unction in your enduring vision to achieve the purpose of our democratic journey which is economic prosperity and social justice. History will be kind to you for raising dispassionate standards and taking bold decisions that will return our country to the path of greatness in the continent of Africa. 3. In the works sector, you have made gratifying progress in deepening and fast-tracking the gains of democracy through your record-breaking accomplishments in road infrastructure, which are distributed equitably across the 6 Geo-Political Zones. You have continued to blaze the trail in the passionate delivery of enduring infrastructure, which is critical for the nation’s developmental progress,especially your initiative to expand the nation's road network and interconnect the major economic corridors through the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects. Under Your Excellency, we savour a brand new era of regenerative democracy where the institutions and authorities work deliberately and collectively to achieve a nation of equal opportunities irrespective of tribe, religion, or social class. For this, we salute the leadership of the National Assembly and the Judiciary, which are the pillars of our democracy. 4. May God continue to prosper the aspirations of Your Excellency and grant you the grace and enablement to achieve all that you desire for the nation. Please accept the warmest congratulations, esteemed regards, and best wishes of the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works. Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, Honourable Minister of Works ...

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Nov

2025

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Oct

2021

Stakeholders In The Built Industry Meet In Lagos

Stakeholders in the built industry have converged in Lagos for the 10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development deliberate on ways to move the industry forward with a view to creating employment, social inclusion and economic development of Nigeria.

The theme of the meeting is " Housing Development As A Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development.

The meeting of the National Council on Lands Housing and Urban development is organized annually by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as part of its statutory mandate.

In his introductory remarks, the Director, Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Olajide Ode-Martins, said that the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development is the highest policy making organ of the Housing Sector where stakeholders in the sector engage in critical evaluation of and proffer solutions to challenges facing the sector.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau Olabode Agoro, identified housing development as a critical key to achieving the Federal government's vision of pursuing social economic renewal, inclusive of job creation and overall national as well as individual development

Agoro, who urged participants to actively evaluate the challenges facing the built industry in relation to Job Creation and national development, pointing out that if housing was thoroughly planned and implemented it could reactivate both the individual and national economy.

Directors and senior officials from relevant agencies in the built industry from both federal, states as well as private sectors are participating in the meeting.

SPEECHES

Dec

2020

Introductory Remarks By The Director, Planning Research And Statistics, Mr. Jide Ode-Martins At The Technical Session Of The 26th Meeting Of The National Council On Works 7th-8th December, 2020

Protocol

Permit the singular honour on behalf of the Organizing Committee, to welcome you all to the 26th Meeting of the National Council on Works on the theme:”Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth” holding here in Port-Harcourt from today Monday, 7th – 11th December, 2020.

2. As you are aware, the Meeting of the National Council on Works is the highest policy-making organ of the Works Sector, where stakeholders in the Works Sector deliberate on critical issues concerning the Sector with a view to proffering sustainable solutions.

3. It is pertinent to highlight that the Council Meeting is heralded by a 2-Day Technical Meeting of the Directors and the Meeting of the Permanent Secretaries. The responsibility of the Technical Meeting of the Directors as you are aware, is to create a solid and resourceful foundation by the diligently reviewing the memoranda submitted by stakeholders and fine-tuning the recommendation made by the Meeting of the Permanent Secretaries for presentation to the Council.

4. In view of the foregoing, I would like to urge all Directors present to rise to the occasion as usual. This is a task most of us here are very competent at and committed to doing year in year out. I am therefore, very confident of our ability to timely deliver on this assignment.

5. At this juncture, I would like to assure you that all necessary logistics have been made to ensure the success of this year’s Council Meeting. The Secretariat is available to attend to enquiries and render any assistance needed.

6. On a concluding note, I wish to express our profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, the Honourable Minister of State Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, the Permanent Secretary, Ernest UmakhiheFCA,fnim for providing the enabling environment for the success of this Meeting. I also appreciate the support of all Directors and entire staff of the Ministry whose efforts made today a reality.

7. Once again, welcome to the 2-Day brainstorming Session preceding this year’s National Council Meeting on Works. I wish all of us fruitful deliberations.

8. Thank you and God bless you all.