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.

Dec

2024

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS MEETS WITH BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (BPP) HARPS ON NEW PARADIGM OF SEAMLESS BUREAUCRACIES TO END DELAYS IN PROJECT EXECUTION As part of efforts to end delays in the implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda on the road sector development, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze Umahi, CON has had a partnership discussion with the management of the Bureau of Public Procurement. (BPP) on the need for a new paradigm of seamless bureaucracies in public procurement processes for efficient and timely project delivery. In a meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja on 10th December 2024, the Honourable Minister stated that for the works sector to achieve greater prospects in innovation, efficiency, and economy in the road infrastructure revolution agenda of the present administration and to best respond to the citizens’ yearning for road sector intervention, there must be a deliberate effort to remove all bureaucratic constraints to project evaluation by the Bureau of Public Procurement. He noted the core mandates of the Bureau, which among others are to foster accountability, consistency in pricing, effectiveness in contract execution, and value for money, and urged them to see delay as one of the greatest inhibitors of the objectives of the establishment of the Bureau. "We seek closer cooperation and collaboration to enable the Ministry to Fastrack delivery of the road infrastructure projects inherited and those initiated by the Renewed Hope administration. When we came on board, we insisted on best practices, and we introduced innovations to ensure we give Nigerians enduring road infrastructure that is fit for purpose. We therefore need a collaborative resolve to end unnecessary delays in the procurement processes." He pointed out that different procurement methods, including restrictive, selective, and competitive bidding measures, are geared towards achieving value for money and effective service delivery to Nigerians. On his part, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun commended the Honourable Minister for the purposeful initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Works under his watch and assured him of enhanced synergies with the Ministry so that the noble objectives of the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the works sector would be achieved. He said, “The interesting thing about you is that you don't fail in your duty, which I have observed. You start, you end with something that is unique about you, and you're passionate about what you want to do. We are glad when you extended the invitation for us to come here. We know you see BPP as a worthy partner towards ensuring that Mr. President's objectives in respect of road infrastructure are achieved timely, transparently, and well-accounted.” He thanked the Honourable Minister for the initiative to hold the meeting to discuss areas of procurement challenges. He said, “We are here to hear your challenges, and for us to also hear our own challenges and reach an understanding of how to make sure we work together to achieve the same goal for logical completion. From my experience in this job over the years, works is an arm of government that Nigerians see every day. They talk about it every day. If there is the agency or Parastatal or Ministry that if things fail, then all Nigerians will shout against Mr. President, it is the Ministry of Works. So we place serious premium on closely working with you to ensure we deliver on the mandates in a way that value for money is achieved, in a way that sustainability of what we have on ground is improved upon and even the quality of the roads that we deliver. I think our partnership with you, Your Excellency, is that the quality of the roads that we see must return back to the days when we constructed a road that 25 years later is still intact.” The meeting was attended by directors of key departments of both the Ministry and the Bureau, including Engr. Bede U. Obioha, Director Highways Bridge and Design, Engr. Musa Saidu, Acting Director Highways Road Design and Engr. Clement Ogbuagu, Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation Federal Ministry of Works, as well as Nasir M. Bellow, Isaiah G. Yesufu, Janet McDickson, Directors of the Bureau of Public Procurement. ...

Dec

2024

SENATE COMMENDS POLICY DIRECTION AND INNOVATIONS OF THE RENEWED HOPE ADMINISTRATION IN WORKS SECTOR, BACKS ACTIONS TO HOLD CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE. -AS JULIUS BERGER RISKS WARRANT OF ARREST FOR DISREGARDING LEGISLATURE’S INVITATION In an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Works on contractors’ slow pace of work on the Odukpani-Aba-Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene and other sections ending at Benin, including the Odukpani-Itu Highway, the Eket Bypass, Port Harcourt - Ahoada, Ahoada - Kaiama, and Port Harcourt - Onne Junction Sections of the East-West Road, carried out by the Senate Committee on Works held at the Senate building, National Assembly Complex on 5th December 2024, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Distinguished Senator, Barinada Mpigi has commended the bold steps of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in tackling the challenges that inhibit road infrastructure development in Nigeria. In the meeting which had in attendance, the members of the Committee, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, with his management team and concerned contractors including, CCECC, RCC, SAMATECH, GITTO and SETRACO, the Senate Committee Chairman stated that the Senate is prepared to fully back actions that hold contractors accountable and put an end to practices that delay the impact of this administration’s infrastructure delivery goals. He maintained that Nigerians deserve nothing short of the best in our road infrastructure deliverables and urged stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities in this regard. He commended the Federal Ministry of Works for the technical innovations they have brought to the construction industry and warned that it was no longer business as usual for contractors to collect tax payers’ money and would delay in completing the projects they contracted to do or do a substandard job. He said, “In addition to his technical innovations, Senator Umahi has demonstrated remarkable decisiveness in identifying and addressing non-performing contracts. His actions in revoking underperforming agreements and ensuring that public funds are redirected to more capable contractors reflect a deep commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration. This agenda prioritizes infrastructure as the backbone of economic revitalization, and we, in the Senate, will support every step taken to ensure its success.” He decried the hardship contractors’ behaviour has caused road users. “This deplorable condition has resulted in devastating consequences. Precious lives have been lost, not just on the highway but also among those forced to seek alternative routes through treacherous river crossings. The tragic accident near the Mini Itu bridgehead in Odukpani Local Government Area, which claimed five lives, is a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue.” He warned that the era of such behaviours of contractors had gone. “Contractors, including RCC, have received substantial funds, including the N15 billion that was injected into this project, yet delivery remains elusive. The other stretch of the East-West Road has contractors like RCC, Setraco, and Gitto who have been paid billions, yet the pace of work is far from acceptable. Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works thanked the Senate leadership, Senate Committee on Works and indeed the 10th NASS for placing a watch on the contractors to ensure value for money, speedy and quality delivery of all the road projects of this administration. He commended the President of Nigeria very highly for giving priority attention to the completion of the inherited ongoing projects and for the vision that informed the initiative to construct the four Legacy projects cutting across the 6 Geo-Political Zones. He noted the impediments to the execution of the ongoing projects but assured that Mr. President was tackling the situation. He said, “It's very rare for a President to come on board, and he decided to ignore new projects and decided to take on all the inherited projects and do them at the same time. It's very rare.” On funding, he said, “And we have a country where we want to make an omelet, but we don't want to strike an egg. The projects of roads can not and will never be executed to the satisfaction of the public by using budgetary allocations. There must be different kinds of funding. These different kinds of funding must have to come from either bond or loan to do the job. But the public is saying, no, the President is taking a loan. But, the President is taking a loan to invest in infrastructure development. And that's what every developed country follows. He spoke of the efforts made by the Ministry on the Odukpani-Aba-Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene road, “And so we modified it and then put more stronger sub base and then we increased the thickness of the asphalt pavement so that we can finish the existing pavement as quickly as possible. But the new carriageway, if we have money, will be done on the rigid pavement. This is the reason. And so we have to agree with them. They have to make a promise before the Senate that they will mobilize on three sections doing exactly the same work. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Works has given Julius Berger Plc ultimatum to appear before it on 6th December 2024. In a motion moved and adopted during the investigative hearing, the Senate resolved that it would have no option than to issue a warrant of arrest on Julius Berger Plc should it fail to appear before it as scheduled. Moving the motion, a member of the Committee, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong said, "Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Limited is not here. Now, my understanding is that Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc bidded, was selected, and awarded this job. Funds from taxpayers across this country were disbursed to them. Our understanding is that they showed up on site for a brief period and have since abandoned the site. It is our collective resolve as a committee that under the new Minister's rule, Julius Berger should be produced to this committee in 24 hours by 2 p.m, the 6th of December, 2024, a failure of which will lead to our invoking our constitutional powers and issuing a warrant of arrest on messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc” ...

Dec

2024

GORONYO COMMISSIONS ROAD PROJECT IN LAGOS The Honourable Minister of State for Works, HMSW, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq, has on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024 commissioned a recently recovered critically failed road at Ijora Causeway situated within the Apopa- Ijora Local Government Area of Lagos State. The road, built on rigid pavement through direct labour, was completed up to about 80% under the supervision of the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). Speaking at the occasion, the HMSW noted that the road will impact positively on the economic well-being of the community, it will also help to mitigate youth unemployment, insecurity and threats to communal peace. While commending FERMA for its prompt response to the plight of the community, he charged them to react proactively to ensure the remaining portion of the road is fixed before the end of the year, as it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who according to him is running an infrastructure-friendly administration. He enjoined the leaders and people to take full ownership of the facility to prevent it from abuse. The representative of the Ojora of Ijora, who was unavoidably absent, Chief Samsudeen Ojora expressed the appreciation of His Royal Majesty and the indigenes of the community for the recovery and reconstruction of the road, which, as he emphasised, was hitherto impassable, terrible and an eyesore. He appealed to the Minister and FERMA to ensure the speedy completion of the remaining portion of the project. He further pledged the unalloyed support and continuous prayers of the Oba for the Federal Government. The MD/CEO of FERMA, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi commended the Oba of Ijora and the people residing in the community for their good manners, support and cooperation, while the project was ongoing. Dr. Agbasi promised that FERMA will continue to do their best in adding value to road management in the country. ...

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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

May

2021

FG Opens Bid On Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI)

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing will officially open the bid for *Value Added Concession* under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) on *Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 at 11a.m West African Time. * The bid will be witnessed by the *Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), * other interested partners and stakeholders.

It will be recalled that Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, received the *Certificate of Compliance* for the *Outline Business Case* for the HDMI in December 2020, followed by the official launching of the *E-portal (https://hdmi.worksandhousing.gov.ng)* by the Honourable Minister on 29th March, 2021.

Applications were received from interested prospective concessionaires in response to the *Request for* *Qualification (RfQ )* and the bid will be opened on the *1st June, 2021*.

The Highway Development and Management Initiative was created by the Ministry of Works and Housing to develop and manage the Federal Road network through *sustainable Private Sector investment*, maximizing the use of assets along *the right of way*.

The twelve roads to be concessioned under the first phase of the HDMI are:

*Benin – Asaba*

*Abuja - Lokoja*

*Kaduna – Kano*

*Onitsha – Owerri – Aba*

*Shagamu – Benin*

*Abuja - Keffi – Akwanga*

*Lokoja – Benin*

*Enugu – Port Harcourt*

*Ilorin – Jebba*

*Lagos– Ota – Abeokuta*

*Lagos – Badagry*

*Kano – Shuari – PortisKum – Damaturu*

This initiative is aimed at creating alternative source of financing road development and management in the country while unlocking the massive economic potential of the project routes with attendant job creation

SPEECHES

Jul

2019

Remarks By H.E President Muhammadu Buhari At The Meeting With Mr Joe Kaeser, Ceo/President Siemens AG At The State House On Monday 22nd July 2019

1. Thank you all for coming today and for the roles you have all played in planning what we hope will be a significant project to dramatically improve the quality of our electricity supply.

2. I recall my meeting in late August, last year, with Chancellor Merkel here in Abuja, when both our Governments committed to future cooperation to support economic growth and development in Nigeria. We were clear that fixing the power sector was a key priority for this administration.

3. It was during that event that Mr Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens AG committed to working with Nigeria to develop a feasible roadmap to modernise our electricity grid with support from the German Government.

4. We all know how critical electricity is to the development of any community or indeed any nation. And in Nigeria, whilst we are blessed to have significant natural gas, hydro and solar resources for power generation, we are still on the journey to achieving reliable, affordable and quality electricity supply necessary for economic growth, industrialization and poverty alleviation.

5. Ladies and Gentlemen, there have been many attempts at solving the electricity problem in our country. Previous Governments have explored State funded solutions through the ill prepared National Independent Power Projects. They also explored the installation of large emergency power projects. There was also the partial privatization of the power generation and distribution sectors.

6. These various interventions to solving the electricity problem have yielded an imbalance between the amount of power generated and the amount available for consumers. Despite over 13,000 megawatts of power generation capacity, only an average of 4,000 megawatts reliably reaches consumers.

7. Now, we have an excellent opportunity to address this challenge.

8. This Government’s priority was to stabilise the power generation and gas supply sector through the Payment Assurance Facility, which led to a peak power supply of 5,222 MW. Nonetheless, the constraints remained at the transmission and distribution systems.

9. This is why I directed my team to ask Siemens and our Nigerian stakeholders to first focus on fixing the transmission and distribution infrastructure – especially around economic centres where jobs are created.

10. Whilst it was evident that more needed to be done to upgrade the sub-transmission and distribution system, our Government was initially reluctant to intervene as the distribution sector is already privatised.

11. I am therefore very pleased with the positive feedback from private sector owners of the distribution companies, who have all endorsed Government’s intervention to engage Siemens on this end-to-end plan to modernise the electricity grid.

12. Our goal is simply to deliver electricity to Nigerian businesses and homes. My challenge to Siemens, our partner investors in the Distribution Companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Electricity Regulator is to work hard to achieve 7,000 megawatts of reliable power supply by 2021 and 11,000 megawatts by 2023 – in phases 1 and 2 respectively.

13. After these transmission and distribution system bottlenecks have been fixed, we will seek – in the third and final phase – to drive generation capacity and overall grid capacity to 25,000 megawatts.

14. With our strong commitment to the development of Mambilla Hydroelectric and the various solar projects under development across the country, the long-term power generation capacity will ensure adequate energy mix and sustainability in the appropriate balance between urban and rural electrification.

15. Our intention is to ensure that our cooperation is structured under a Government-to-Government framework. No middlemen will be involved, so that we can achieve value for money for Nigerians. We also insist that all products be manufactured to high quality German and European standards and competitively priced.

16. This project will not be the solution to ALL our problems in the power sector. However, I am confident that it has the potential to address a significant amount of the challenges we have faced for decades.

17. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is our hope that as the power situation improves, we will improve investor confidence, create jobs, reduce the cost of doing business and encourage more economic growth in Nigeria.

18. I thank you for coming today, particularly those of you who have had to come from outside Nigeria. I wish you all safe stay in Abuja and safe journeys back home.

19. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.