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: 3. On Ifaki(Ekiti) - Kabba (Kogi) Road: 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: 10. On the Abuja-Lokoja Road: 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: 13. On the Third Mainland Bridge: 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: 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.
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.
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.
Some failed and critical sections, including defective sections of bridges along the East-West Road, are being marked out for emergency procurement and intervention.
Several contracts are ongoing along the route, while the three critical sections currently without contracts are being procured for emergency intervention.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE EXPANSION OF ABUJA (MARARRABA)-KEFFI ROAD PROJECT -ASSURES OF COMPLETION BY JUNE 2026 The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the timely completion of the Abuja (Mararraba)-Keffi Section of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Dual Carriageway. This was the outcome of the inspection conducted on the project site today, Saturday, 10th May 2025 by the Honourable Minister of State for Works (HMS), Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho O. Adebiyi and other officials. While fielding questions from the media, the Minister confirmed that the project constitutes Section I of the contract, which spans 43.65 kilometres on one side and totals 87.3 kilometres for both carriageways. According to him, this road corridor is a critical segment of the larger Abuja–Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu–Port Harcourt route designed to enhance mobility, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic activities across the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Abia, Imo and Rivers States. Commenting after the inspection, Goronyo expressed satisfaction with the current pace of work, having achieved 42% completion. He remained optimistic that by the June 2026 dateline, the project would be completed, assuring Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering life-transforming infrastructure that will enhance economic growth, improve regional connectivity, and enhance the quality of life. “This is a commendable progress. Our goal is to ensure that the full stretch from Abuja to Port Harcourt is completed by June 2026. We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for prioritising this critical and life-changing infrastructure that would significantly enhance the national economy and facilitate the movement of goods and services,” the Minister disclosed. He also assured that funding will not hinder the project’s execution. “This is a priority project under a special funding arrangement. Once certified payment claims are submitted, the Ministry is ready to process and disburse funds without delay,” he further stated. Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW) for the FCT, Engr. Yakubu Usman provided a technical update on the project. It features a two-way six-lane structure with outer shoulders but lacks inner shoulders, which the reconstruction aims to improve for better traffic flow and safety. According to him, they have done the site clearing, and scarification, while the stone base and binder coarse are at 80% completion. “We are also advancing work on the median drains and rigid shoulders,” he said. Acknowledging challenges posed by high traffic and densely populated areas along the corridor, the Controller disclosed that they are partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a free flow of traffic while carrying out their job. He also informed the audience that the contractor has resorted to working only at night in critical areas to minimise disturbances to public activities during the daytime. The Project Manager, China Habour Engineering Company (Nig.) Ltd. (CHEC), Mr. Ronald Liao, expressed confidence that with the support from the Ministry and relevant stakeholders, the company will deliver the project in a record time, according to the project’s design. ...
THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT FOR INSPIRING GENERATIONS OF NIGERIAN NATIONALITIES WITH A PURPOSEFUL AND ALL- INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP. YOUR STATE VISIT TO ANAMBRA STATE ON 8TH MAY 2025 UNDERPINS YOUR SENSE OF EGALITARIANISM -WORKS MINISTER, SEN.UMAHI The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON profoundly thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his State Visit to Anambra State, South East of Nigeria, on 8th May 2025. Mr. President's sense of inclusive leadership and commitment to an egalitarian nation speaks volumes in his words during the event, "Anambra has huge potential, and with Soludo, we can all work together to fast-track the vision." "We will continue to partner with your State to deliver shared prosperity to Ndi Anambra and all Nigerians." The Honourable Minister deeply appreciates Mr. President and assures him that as a people of gratitude, Anambra State and indeed South East will continue to cherish and honour him and will overwhelmingly reciprocate his unwavering love for Ndigbo come 2027 General Elections. He expresses gratitude to Mr. President for prioritizing South East in the national development architecture of the Renewed Hope administration and for guaranteeing its actualization in policy and implementation. By Mr. President's words in Anambra State," We are working to build critical infrastructure — roads, rail, and power — and ensure that every corner of Nigeria, including Anambra, feels the impact of governance that works. The Presidential Power Initiative and the ongoing digital economy drive will open more doors for the resourceful people of this State," he has continued to inspire generations of Nigerian nationalities with a purposeful and inclusive leadership and this underpins his sense of egalitarianism. God bless Mr. President. ...
ENGINEERS CHART NEW COURSE FOR NIGERIA’S FUTURE AS MINISTRY DRIVES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON INNOVATION, REGULATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT The 45th Conference of Directors of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments from the Federal Ministry of Works and States’ Ministries of Works/Infrastructure took place in Abuja from May 5 to 7, 2025. This event brought together federal and state engineering directors, retired professionals, and key stakeholders. Under the theme “Application of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Tools for Economic Growth and Sustainability,” the conference provided a vital platform for discussions on engineering innovation, regulatory compliance, energy transition, as well as workforce development. The Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho O. Adebiyi, FNSE, represented by the Director of Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong declared the conference opened. He commended the Directors for their unwavering commitment to national infrastructure development and expressed his deep appreciation for the conference's role in enhancing professional collaboration and generating policy-driven solutions. He emphasised the Ministry's commitment to supporting the implementation of resolutions reached, particularly those in alignment with national development goals. The Conference Chairman and Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (EMS), Engr. Bukar D. Mohammed praised the collaborative spirit among the delegates and urged them to align their contributions with the nation's aspiration for a resilient, self-reliant, and technologically advanced engineering sector. He highlighted the importance of updating technical knowledge, building regulatory capacity, and integrating sustainable tools and practices into engineering operations across the country. Goodwill messages framed the discussions. A retired Director of Engineering Management Services, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Felix Ebuzeome applauded the leadership of the organising committee and encouraged future conferences to be held outside the Federal Capital Territory to promote national inclusivity. Engr. Joshua Olurinola, another retired Director of EMS, challenged the delegates to become the change Nigeria requires. He reminded them of their privileges and responsibilities as engineers and, specifically urged the Department to collaborate with the Highways Department in deploying road signages across all federal roads. Among the major technical highlights was a presentation by Bozimo E. Joseph, Federal Delegate and Higher Technical Officer (HTO), titled “Engineering Innovation, Workforce Development, and Professional Inclusion for Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Sustainability.” The delegate advocated for the formal recognition of emerging engineering disciplines, such as Environmental Engineering and AI-integrated systems, which are currently unaccredited by COREN and excluded from the Civil Service career structure. He proposed the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion training workshops in the Ministry’s Technical Schools to support the national goal of converting over one million vehicles by 2027. His presentation also called for reforms in curricula, modular training pathways, and digital certifications aligned with the industry’s needs and aspirations. Engr. Itodo Emmanuel's presentation reinforced the importance of regulatory compliance and safety standards in national development. Referencing frameworks like the National Building Code, COREN’s Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM), and various safety codes, he identified enforcement gaps, substandard materials, and low regulatory awareness as significant challenges. He recommended mandatory registration, periodic inspections, sanctions for violators, and the promotion of local fabrication through training schools, including initiatives such as streetlight pole manufacturing. He called for stronger collaboration between institutions and continuous professional development to maintain quality and integrity in the sector. Engr. (Dr.) R.O. Raheem emphasised the necessity for robust training institutions, enhanced instructor capacity, expanded engineering curricula, and policy reforms prioritising engineering graduates in public sector recruitment. He advocated for partnerships with the private sector to improve technical capabilities to bridge human capital gaps. Energy security was a key focus in Engr. John Chukwuemeka's presentation on solar photovoltaic integration and grid optimisation. Using the Ministry’s 1.5MW solar micro-grid project as a case study, he illustrated how decentralised solar solutions can prevent national grid collapses, reduce energy costs, and ensure uninterrupted power supply to critical infrastructure. He urged the Council to support broader adoption of solar microgrids, engineer retraining, and curriculum revisions to align with renewable energy goals. Another thought-provoking paper presented was the “Economic Impacts of Engineering Innovations in Nigeria” by Engr. Oyinloye Adekunle examined how indigenous technological advancements could reduce dependency on imports and stimulate local industries. Engr. Olaore O. Isaac presented a timely paper on the “Development of Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Transport Systems in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Sustainable Mobility,” offering practical policy recommendations for transitioning Nigeria’s transportation sector into the clean energy future. In another critical submission, Engr. Benneth O. Obiajulu spoke on “Intelligent Traffic Management and Control Systems,” emphasising the need for real-time traffic data integration, smart infrastructure deployment, and inter-agency collaboration to reduce congestion and improve road safety. These papers, amongst others, underscored the depth and diversity of engineering insights shared at the conference. The conference concluded with a unified call to action. Delegates recommended to the Council for the formal recognition of emerging engineering disciplines, adoption of standardised CNG conversion training across the Ministry’s Technical Schools, and the establishment of pilot training centers for national scale-up. The directors also urged strengthened regulatory enforcement, expanded COREN accreditation, and institutional capacity building as essential levers for progress. ...
2023 Elections: Fashola Distances Self from The Antics of Unsolicited Support Groups
The Media Office of the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has urged well-meaning people to disregard the invitation of some Groups, operating under The Nigeria Project 2023, purportedly to the inauguration of a Support Group for the Minister and the Governor of Borno State over the 2023 elections.
The social media was awash at the weekend with a poster from the Group allegedly presenting the Honorable Minister and the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum as Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates respectively of an unnamed political party.
Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handwork of mischief makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key reasons.
The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the Honorable Minister had been contacted or if the Groups had his consent in issuing the invitation.
Without equivocation, no individual or Group has contacted the Honorable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023. As Honorable Minister, Mr Fashola is currently focused on leading his dedicated Team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure; and affordable Housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.
Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party. As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Honorable Minister.
Against the backdrop of the foregoing, the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN urges members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and Support Groups whose real intentions remain questionable. Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all.
Road Infrastructure, A Necessary Factor for Nigeria’s Unity : Mohammed Bukar
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mohammed Bukar has disclosed that road infrastructure was a necessary factor for the unity of our geographically vast and culturally heterogeneous nation, Nigeria.
He made the disclosure today at the ongoing meeting of Federal and State Permanent Secretaries at the 25th National Council on Works in Calabar Cross River State. The theme of the Council Meeting is ‘’ Infrastructure as the pathway for prosperity’’ which according to him was ‘’Apt and deliberately chosen to address issues of job creation , poverty alleviation and wealth creation.” Bukar who was ably represented by the Director Highways, Planning and Development, Engr, Chibike Uzo maintained that ‘’ In spite of the present improvement in GDP growth , road infrastructure deficit and its attendant adverse effect on the transport sector remained a major impediment to future economic prosperity of Nigeria , especially in the area of food supply, employment generation and wealth creation.
The Permanent Secretary assured Nigerians that his Ministry was committed to integrating and developing Nigerian roads infrastructure through the completion of projects with positive impact capable of providing more conducive environment for local and foreign investments.
While welcoming all Stakeholders to the Council meant to look at the issues raised during the Technical Meeting which took place on Monday_ Tuesday(25th_26th November, 2019), Bukar expressed immeasurable gratitude to the Government and good people of Cross River State, especially, the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Prof, Ben. Ayade for providing the conducive environment for stakeholders in the Works Sector to deliberate on the myriad of infrastructure challenges in Nigeria.
In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Works, Dr. ( Mrs) Ihort Achu , commended the Directors from various MDAs for patiently brainstorming on issues of roads infrastructure which according to her were crucial to the economic development of Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general. Achu happily welcomed the Permanent Secretaries from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory and enjoined them to feel at home and enjoy the hospitality of Cross River State.
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