UMAHI, NIGER GOVERNOR STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION TO FAST-TRACK FEDERAL ROAD PROJECTS The Honourable Minister of Works, H.E. Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to accelerate the delivery of ongoing Federal road and bridge projects in Niger State, following a high-level meeting with the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Farmer Umaru Mohammed Bago. Speaking during the meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters, Mabushi-Abuja today, 28 January, 2026, the Minister commended Governor Bago for his untiring efforts toward infrastructure development and urban renewal across Niger State. He noted, with appreciation, that many of the state government's interventions are on Federal road corridors that directly benefit the citizens. Engr. Umahi acknowledged the numerous challenges associated with Federal roads in the State, stressing that road infrastructure development is a shared responsibility, irrespective of jurisdiction. He praised the significant interventions in areas such as Bida, Minna, and Suleja, describing them as impactful urban renewal efforts that have enhanced mobility and boosted economic activities. The Minister assured the Governor of the Federal Government’s strong support, particularly on key projects including the Minna–Suleja Road (71km), which has received approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and is awaiting consideration by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has personally directed that the project be prioritised and assured that any advance intervention funds expended by the Niger State Government would be refunded. Engr. Umahi stressed the urgent need to curb indiscriminate parking, trading activities, and traffic congestion on bridges, which accelerate their structural deterioration. “Bridges are not designed to carry static loads but built for the dynamic flow of traffic,” he advised. He announced plans to engage key stakeholders, including transport unions and tanker drivers, to safeguard national assets and extend the lifespan of bridges. The Minister further disclosed that all ongoing NNPC-funded road projects, nationwide, have now been approved for takeover by the Ministry, in line with Mr. President’s directive. Funding templates are currently being finalised to ensure the seamless continuation of works on such projects. He also directed officials of the Ministry to provide comprehensive status reports on all Federal road projects in the state to enable prompt interventions, where required. Earlier, Governor Bago expressed appreciation to the Minister and his team for their responsiveness and collaborative approach. He highlighted the strategic importance of Niger State as Nigeria’s central corridor linking the North and South, with over 100,000 trucks traversing major routes in the State on a daily basis. The Governor raised concerns about severe traffic congestion, infrastructure degradation, and security challenges along critical corridors, such as Jebba–Lambata–Minna–Suleja. He called for urgent attention to the structural integrity of the Jebba Bridge and other heavily trafficked bridges, emphasising the need for structural testing, traffic control measures, and accelerated rehabilitation works to avert potential disasters. Governor Bago also commended the Federal Government for the ongoing concrete pavement works on the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway and urged that similar durable solutions be applied to other major highways in the country. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration to fast-track federal road projects, enhance road safety, stimulate economic activities, and improve the quality of life for the people of Niger State and Nigerians at large.
On the Jebba and Lambata Bridges, the Minister informed his August visitor that integrity tests and work on the expansion joints are ongoing.
COASTAL HIGHWAY: TINUBU TO FLAG-OFF SECTIONS THREE AND FOUR IN CROSS RIVER TO AKWA IBOM As part of the commitment of the Tinubu Administration to sustain its on-going infrastructural development drive in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda. The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the flag-off of the next phase of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal highway from Cross River to Akwa Ibom. The Minister of Works Senator (Engr) David Umahi disclosed this at the stakeholder’s engagement meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on 29, June 2024. According to the Minister of Works, “we are here to introduce sections three and four of the famous Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway. "We started and awarded section one which started in Lagos and terminated at deep port in Lagos and is at 474 km "There is section two that is starting at Lekki Deep Sea Port and taking it to the famous Dangote Refinery" The Honourable Minister added that the President has graciously directed that sections three and four must start at Cross River and stop at Akwa Ibom. Senator Umahi recalled that the Senate President once addressed the people of Akwa Ibom state, and he assured them that "sections three and four will start on this part of the coastal highway and this is the fulfilment of that assurance, and we are happy doing this”. He added. Speaking further, the Minister explained "that section three has 27km on Akwa Ibom land 38km on Cross River State. While section four is entirely on Akwa Ibom that is 80km. When you add 27km and 80km, you have 107km, so you are benefiting through maximizing this coastal highway. "When we complete the procurement process and award these sections three and four, work will start in many sub- sections of this sections all at the same time. "Tinubu is a man who matches his words with actions. So, we are happy with the level of commendations and support we receive from Nigerians for the so many benefits of the coastal highway Speaking at the event, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for listening to his plea to start sections three and four of the coastal highways in Cross River State to Akwa Ibom. He called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to give maximum support to the federal government and buy into the coastal highway project. The former governor also called on the Minister of works to engage the services of engineers from the state on the project. Also speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom state governor assured the stakeholders that the state will cooperate with the federal government to ensure the completion of the project. ...
WORKS MINISTER LAMENTS ON THE ATTITUDE OF EXPATRIATE CONTRACTORS ON ROAD PROJECTS. PLEDGE TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL CONTRACTORS The Federal government has announced plans to terminate the contracts of contractors carrying out the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lokoja-Benin road for delaying the contracts and not showing commitment to the plight of the people. The Minister of Works, Senator (Engr) David Umahi, disclosed this at the stakeholder’s engagement meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom on 29 June,2024 According to the Minister, while lamenting over the attitude of some unpatriotic expatriate contractors in the country warned that any contractor who continues to behave in that way will have his contract terminated. While inspecting projects sites along Calabar -Itu road on his way to Cross River State from Uyo, Senator Umahi was physically worried about the agony Nigerians go through over the poor condition of the road. He called on Julius Berger to return to the project site immediately to avoid sanctions from the ministry. "We are going to do everything to support local contractors, we are going to encourage them, build them so that they can compete with the expatriate contractors, but more pains no more gains" he said. The Minister thanked President Tinubu for his desire to alleviate the suffering of our people by carrying out massive infrastructural rehabilitation in the country. ...
HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS, UMAHI COMMENCES NATIONWIDE STAKEHOLDERS' ENGAGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RENEWED HOPE LEGACY ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WILL STIMULATE NATIONAL PROSPERITY Following the approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the commencement of the national road infrastructure network that will traverse the various trade and agricultural corridors of Nigeria and in keeping with the Renewed Hope strategic economic recovery plans, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has commenced nationwide stakeholders engagement for the construction of sections of the three (3) Renewed Hope Legacy Road Infrastructure projects. The Honourable Minister will on Saturday, 29th, and Sunday 30th June 2024 hold this session of the stakeholders' engagement in Akwa Ibom and Cross-River States, respectively. In Akwa Ibom, he will present and discuss the proposed alignment for the construction of Sections 3B and 4 of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project passing through the State and in Cross River State he will present and discuss section 3A of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and 92 km segment of the Calabar-Sout East- North Central- Apo Abuja Superhighway passing through the State. Stakeholders expected in the event include: Governors of concerned States, Senate and Federal House of Representatives Committees on Works, Honourable Ministers of line Ministries, Royal fathers and technocrats, Nigerian Communications Commission and major Telecommunication Service Providers, other relevant stakeholders and the Media. The Senate President Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio CON is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour in the event The three Renewed Hope Legacy Road Infrastructure projects when completed shall have historic national interconnectivity that will crisscross the major transportation routes of Northern and Southern States of Nigeria and that is the Sokoto - Badagry Superhighway (SBS): a 1,000-kilometer highway connecting Sokoto in Northern Nigeria to Badagry in Western Nigeria, passing through 7 States and connecting to the Lagos-Calabar coastal (LCCH) highway at Ahmadu Bello way Lagos; Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: a 700-kilometer coastal highway connecting from Lagos State to Cross River State through 8 States; and the Calabar- South East- North Central- Apo Abuja 477-kilometer Superhighway connecting from Calabar to Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa States and ending at Apo in Abuja This stakeholders' meeting will afford opportunities to communities along the routes and trade corridors to appreciate the potentials of the project to the enhancement of industrialization, tourism, agricultural commercialization and mechanization, trade and investment, and economic competitiveness not only among the people of the area, but also the various regions of Nigeria, and thus stimulate national prosperity. ...
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.
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.
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1