FG Decries Road Vandalism, Reaffirms Commitment to Record Completion of Abuja-Kano Expressway The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of vandalism and misuse of newly constructed and ongoing road projects across the country, warning that such irresponsible acts threaten the lifespan and safety of critical national infrastructure. Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., issued the warning on Saturday, 8th November 2025, during a holistic inspection visit to the Outstanding Sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway project, where he condemned the destructive activities of some hoodlums along the completed and active sections of the road. The Minister, in particular, decried instances of individuals removing safety railings, damaging concrete pavements, or converting portions of the highway into refuse dumps and drying grounds—especially around the Jaji Bridge corridor in Kaduna State. “Maintenance begins with discipline and public responsibility,” Goronyo stated. “We have observed people cutting through newly completed road sections or tampering with vital components. These acts of vandalism must stop immediately,” he warned. In this vein, he urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to take collective ownership of public infrastructure and ensure that such national assets are protected from misuse, adding that the government’s huge investments in road development must be safeguarded for future generations. “The Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committing enormous resources to the building of durable roads across the country. Every act of vandalism or road abuse undermines national progress and the deployment of taxpayers’ money to other critical national priorities,” the Minister emphasised. Reaffirming the government’s resolve to complete the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway within record time, Goronyo described the project as a flagship of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to enhance trade, promote unity, and strengthen economic integration between the Northern and Southern regions of the country. He disclosed that the Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) of the project, spanning 144 kilometres, is progressing steadily across several active sections - from Tungan Maje and Jere to Katari, Kakau, Gonigora, and Agogo Junction—with significant work already completed in drainage, reinforcement, and the construction of the shoulders. “So far, about 26 kilometres of continuous rigid concrete pavement and 15 kilometres of binder and wearing course have been completed,” the Minister revealed. “The President has made it clear that funding will not be a constraint. It is now a matter of work and getting paid,” he informed the contractor, Messrs. Infiouest International Limited. In line with the President’s directive for durable infrastructure, the Acting Director, Highways, Bridges and Design at the Ministry, Engr. Musa Sa’idu explained that the project design was upgraded from flexible (asphalt) to rigid (concrete) pavement, capable of lasting for about a century and withstanding the stress of heavy-duty and overloaded vehicles. He further disclosed that a recycling approach is being used to strengthen the substructure, by mixing milled asphalt with stone base and cement to improve durability and minimize environmental impact. Mr. Robert Turner, Senior Project Manager of the company, reaffirmed their commitment to engineering excellence and set a target, adding that work is progressing seven days a week, with plans to introduce night shifts to accelerate completion. Concluding the inspection tour at the additional location of the Kano end of the alignment, the Minister reiterated that the Abuja–Kano Expressway remains one of the most strategic road corridors in the nation, symbolising Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural renewal, national security, and economic prosperity. “This project is dear to the President’s heart. It is not just a road - it is a lifeline for trade, social and political integration, as well as national unity. Every Nigerian must play a part in protecting it,” Goronyo declared. Earlier at the end of Section II (Kaduna-Zaria), which has been completed and handed over by the previous contractor, the Briefing the Minister on the Project, the Federal Controller/Engineers’ Representative, Engr. Muhammad I. Matinja and the Project Manager for Messrs. Halis Matrix Limited, Engr. David Omotosho expressed optimism about the progress of work, assuring that it will be completed on time and according to its design. **Mohammed A Ahmed, **
“We are determined to deliver this project ahead of schedule. The government has demonstrated exceptional consistency in funding, and we are matching that commitment with performance,” Turner assured.
Minister detoured to inspect another ongoing construction work on the Unguwar Iliya-Bagudu-Kwantakaran-Tsiga-Bakori Road with Kadabo Bridge in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, which has an approximate length of 17.3 kilometres, starting from Tsiga Town and passing through the Barde community. The scope of work includes the construction of a single carriageway and three reinforced concrete bridges.
Director Press and Public Relations.
9th November 2025.
FMW&H Assures States of Partnership and Collaboration to Impact on the People The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mahmuda Mamman has assured states of the Ministry's willingness to partner and collaborate with them , he made this disclosure while hosting the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal in the Ministry's Headquarters office in Abuja over the weekend. The Permanent Secretary said ‘’ The Ministry is willing to collaborate and partner with states in order to make life more meaningful for all Nigerians not necessarily the people of Zamfara state because we are here to serve the interest of the country and we are also ready to do that, Your Excellency." While responding to the request of the Governor, he said, FMW&H and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) will work out a plan to be used as intervention strategy on the Funtua–Gusau Road he assured. Mr. Mamman also assert that, “We are touching lives in so many ways and we really want to touch the lives of Nigerians especially the people plying that axis”. Mr Mahmuda has also instructed, the Director, Highways and Reconstruction Engr Folorunsho Esan of the Ministry to mobilize and put necessary machinery in place to ensure that work starts from both ends of Funtua –Gusau Roads in the shortest possible time. The Governor, earlier in his remarks, thanked the Permanent Secretary for granting his request despite the short notice , he said “the reason we are here today is to seek for partnership with FMW&H in different areas of concern , I am aware of what the Ministry is dong, in touching the lives of the people across the country, l am also aware that the contract for the dualization of Funtua -Gusau Road has been signed by the Ministry. Governor Lawal said that they were in the Ministry for two reasons, first to seek for the support of the Ministry to ensure that the contract startes from the Gusau end of the road and to also draw the attention of the Ministry and FERMA to the bad portions of the Gusau –Funtua road, so that it could be fixed before the major work starts for easy movement as the road is in a very bad shape. Commenting on the Governor’s request , Engr. Esan said " Contractors are only waiting for mobilization advance and as soon as that is done, funding will not be a challenge , contractors can start from both ends of the road , there shall be no fear from whatever location they start from, either from Gusau or not ". Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation also said that, in 2020 Special intervention projects were signed for Zamfara roads and most of them have been completed. He said " In 2023 we have planned special intervention projects for Zamfara roads as well to make life easy for the people". ...
Mahmuda Mamman Resumes as Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works. ... Promises an open, inclusive administration. Following the redeployment of Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, the Permanent Secretary posted to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mahmuda Mamman has resumed office today Wednesday,31st May, 2023. While addressing Management staff of the Ministry during the hand over and take over ceremony which took place at the main conference hall of the Ministry's Headquarters at Mabushi, Abuja, Mr Mahmuda promised an all-inclusive and open administration. "We are going to run an open government, an open administration so that we can achieve what we are supposed to achieve" he said He told the Management staff that he is going to rely on their professional advice and support so that critical decisions can be taken to move the country's infrastructural development forward. " You are the professionals, I am here to rely on your advice, guidance and directions for us to do what we are supposed to do but I can assure you that I am a team player and we are going to run an inclusive administration" he said Earlier the Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Folorunsho Esan expressed satisfaction that the new Permanent Secretary will provide purposeful leadership to move the Ministry forward due to his wealth of experience. Engineer Esan who gave a run-down of the activities of the Departments, Units and Parastatals of the Ministry, explained that the core Mandate of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is the provision of roads, housing and urban renewal. In his welcome address, the Director Human Resource Management in the Ministry, Aliyu Abdullahi assured the new Permanent Secretary of the support and cooperation of Management and staff of the Ministry. Mahmuda Mamman is an indigene of Potiskum, Yobe State. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Maiduguri. He started his career as a Civil Servant in May, 1992 as a Personnel Officer II and rose through Promotion to the position of Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health from where he has been redeployed to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The occasion was also attended by many Directors and Heads of Units from the Federal Ministry of Health who in a show of affection and solidarity graced the ceremony. ...
Fashola Hands Over Ministry to DOOPS. Engr. Esan ...... launches 10-year National Housing Strategy Blueprint ...... signs Value-Added Concession under HDMI The outgoing Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the Minister of State, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, has handed over the mantle of leadership of the Ministry to the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunsho Esan. The event took place at the conference room of the Ministry's headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja, Friday, May 27, 2023. Fashola stated that the eight years of the Buhari's Administration did its best in making sure that the promises made to the citizens are kept, saying that though some may not like them, but they will like the work they did “There is an argument going on out there. I think it is a conversation we must have because some people don’t like the party in government but they will like the work we do" he Said. The Minister thanked the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan who was present at the ceremony, the Directors, Heads of Parastatals, Heads of Units of the Ministry and all staff in attendance. He expressed gratitude to the contractors whom he said stood in the gap and encouraged them to continue doing the best for the nation. The Minister of State, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub expressed his appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve in his cabinet. El-Yakub thanked the Minister and other Management staff for their kind gesture and team work which has helped him in carrying out his functions. In her good will message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan congratulated the Ministers for their successes and thanked them for their support and encouragement to the Civil Service programmes and activities. In his response the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunsho Esan, thanked the Ministers for their purposeful guidance and high level of cooperation, pledging to continue to move with their vision, concept and dedication to duties. Meanwhile, before the handover, ceremony, a Ten- year Blueprint for the National Housing Strategy Plan (NHS) was launched by the Minister. The NHS Strategy document is a project in collaboration with Messes FMDQ Holding Plc, which will unleash the power of private capital in the sector. Fashola said government alone cannot provide the totality of housing needs for Nigerians, hence the need to create an enabling environment for the private sectors to thrive According to the Minister, the ten-year strategic blueprint has been designed to harmonize all extant housing initiatives by various stakeholders into a single National Housing Strategy. He explained that despite the numerous housing programmes initiated by the current administration for affordable housing, it still did not provide more homes than private enterprises, stating that the private sector remains the real driver of housing solutions in the country “There is nothing the government does in the housing sector that can compete and provide more than what the private sector can do whether it is a state government building or the Federal Government, the real drivers at the end of the day are the capacity of private capital for providing more houses" he said Explaining further, he stated that the scope of land holding, are from the state governments that owns the bulk of land, the Federal Government doesn’t have as much land as the collective land holding that is in the hands of the private sector. Accordingly. the Minister reiterated the need for reliable data on housing deficit that can put one on track, assuring that the scheduled population census will reveal the real size of housing problems in the country. “I am launching this document with mixed feelings and I say that because, as an initiative of the private sector, the document is an alternative solution to the housing problem. One of the data that will be collected will be; who lives in a rented house; who owns his house; those who have other houses, and what type of house people live in. So, let’s hold our breath; and when the figure comes, it will be very reliable upon which we can see the real size of the problem.” He added Earlier, the Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Esan stated that, the Blueprint is an outcome of the collaborative effort among the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, PricewaterhouseCoopers and FMDQ Holding PLC. He explained that the project working group had worked tirelessly to produce the strategic compendium being launched today which is an announcement of the completion of Nigeria’s 10-year National Housing Strategy Blueprint and the commitment to the execution of the initiative therein. In his response, the Senior Vice President, FMDQ Group PLC, Mr. Emmanuel Etaderhi acknowledged the support and commitment of the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister, Babatunde Fashola for his guidance along every stage of the drafting of the strategy, while commending the members of PricewaterhouseCoopers team for their work, research and dedication. In another development, the signing of the Value-Added Concession under Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) has been performed by the Minister. During the signing ceremony, Fashola noted that it is another demonstration of the Ministry’s innovative commitment to fixing the Nations’ Federal Road network through a multi-pronged approach. He said the Highways development Initiative (HDMI) was created to develop and manage the Federal Road Network with the objective to attract sustainable investment and funding in the development of road infrastructure across the Nation. The Managing Director of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Micheal Ohiani, in his address, stated that the primary objective of (HDMI) pilot scheme is to leverage private sector investment to improve facilities and operations on selected routes; infrastructure development by applying a commercial approach that bridges the funding gaps in annual capital budget expenditure, thereby reducing the dependency on budgetary allocations On his part, Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunsho Esan, stated that as the ministry attains its commercial height, it is the expectation that in no distant time, and in line with the agreed timelines, the financial close time will be reached to enable the execution of the project accordingly. The six successful concessionaires for the execution of the concession contract include: African Plus Partner Nigeria Limited Consortium (Benin Asaba Express Way and Lagos Otta Abeokuta Road); Avia Infrastructure Services Ltd Consortium (Abuja – Lokoja Road); Enyimba Economic City Development Company Consortium (Onitsha Owerri Road and Enugu Port Harcourt Highway); Africa Finance Corporation Consortium (Shagamu Benin Road and Lagos-Badagry -Seme Border Road); Dafac Consortium (Kano -Shuari Road);, and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) for (Keffi-Akwanga-lafia-makurdi Road) respectively. ...
We Deliver Infrastructure At Tertiary Institutions To Impact Learning-Fashola
The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN has said that the Federal Government is constructing and rehabilitating internal roads in higher institutions through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to make learning pleasurable and less stressful.
Fashola made the remarks at the University of Benin , Benin City, Edo State today on the occasion of the handing over of a 0.69 kilometre road constructed by the ministry for the institution.
In the words of the minister,"It is undebatable that quality education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment."
The minister who was represented by the ministry's Controller of Works in Edo State,Engr.Oke Owhe said the ministry has 43 internal road projects in tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country out of which 18 had been completed.
The ministry has commenced the process of handing over the completed internal road projects in tertiary institutions such as universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
The minister noted that with that intervention students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regard to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to motorability.
The Vice -Chancellor of University of Benin,Prof.Lillian Salami who was represented by Prof.Ikponwosa Omoruyi,Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration said that they value the intervention through the road project.She added that through an intervention like this the burden of university education would be more lighter.
Prof.Salami assured that the road would be put into good use and maintained.
The President of University of Benin Students Union,Egbu Benjamin Notana thanked the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing and the Ministry for the kind gesture.
In Notana's words"Before now we found it very difficult to access this road.But now it is no longer as it used to be.Right now we don't experience flood or gallops when going to classes.It is a very welcome development.We are very much happy about it."
The constructed road is linking the Departments of Pharmacy and Nursing in the institution with three car parks and drainages.
It could be recalled that the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN is an alumnus of University of Benin.
Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 21st Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Held In Asaba, Delta State On Monday The 13th Of November 2017
Dear members of the Nigerian Electricity Sector Industry:
I welcome you once again to our monthly power meeting, the 21st monthly meeting we have held without fail.
This meeting is being hosted by Benin Electricity Distribution Company in Asaba, the capital of Delta State which falls within the franchise of Benin DISco.
As it has now become customary, I am happy to announce again some progress that we have made in the last one month in our journey of incremental, steady and uninterrupted power.
Within the last month:
A. Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) expanded transmission capacity in Zaria, Kaduna State and Funtua, Katsina State by adding 40 and 60MVA transformers to the Transmission sub-station to increase the TCN capacity to transmit power in those areas;
B. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) completed consultation and issued the Regulations needed to guide the operations and implementation of the eligible customer declaration that I made, to increase our capacity to distribute power;
C. Rural Electrification Agency (REA) completed the guidelines for the operation of the rural electrification fund that will help vulnerable groups and communities gain access to funding to support their electricity development program;
D. The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, on Friday the 10th November 2017, signed the EPC contract for the Mambilla Hydro power project, over 40 years after the project was first conceived.
By way of explanation the Rural Electrification Fund was created by Section 88 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 to promote support and provide rural electrification access.
The fund will provide a partial single payment capital subsidy and or technical assistance to eligible private Rural Power Developers, NGOs or communities to invest in options such as hybrid mini grids or solar home systems to scale up rural access to electricity.
Those who will be served are the unserved and underserved Rural Communities.
What they are likely to get are minimum amounts of $10,000 (N3.5m) and Maximum amounts of $300,000. (N106m) or 75% of project cost which ever is less.
The REA will publish details of guidelines and eligibility.
These are only headline items of developments that characterize the progress we are making month after month, especially since March 2017.
They do not represent, or pretend to fully report, all of the progress that is going on at distribution levels, which is highlighted by the New Asaba Mains 2x15MVA injection substation completed and commissioned today by Benin DisCo.
This is expected to improve service to Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret, Ogbeofu, Osadebe Way, Okwe Housing Estate, Oduke, New Jerusalem, Malbovil and more by reducing load shedding and increasing the hours of supply.
Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week and month by month we have not only gained momentum, we are seeing progress that inspires us not to flag, progress that inspires us to continue, because the power problem can be successfully managed by Nigerians.
Not even your worst critic can deny that his experience has improved; even if he is reluctant to acknowledge it, which is his prerogative.
Our work is certainly not driven by a quest for acknowledgment; on the contrary it is driven by our belief in our collective abilities to change what we do not accept.
We remind ourselves that we are not immune from what we do. If we make it work as we intend to, it will also serve us.
We thank well-meaning Nigerians who are gracious to acknowledge that their experience has improved and who ask us to do more. Your honesty inspires us to continue.
Dear members, we all know that the progress this year was due to many things we have done and the peace in the Gas producing regions which enabled us to get the gas stations and the Hydro stations to work together.
Now that the rains are coming to an end we expect some minor, not major, reduction in the production from the Hydro, and we must work now to keep all the gas stations well maintained and operational.
I am sure that we can do this, if there is peace in the gas producing areas and gas supply is not interrupted.
There are other challenges that we must also overcome together:
A. Estimated billing and metering, and in this regard we anxiously await the Regulation from NERC to open up meter supply Business.
B. Similarly I am happy to report that following the approval of the Federal executive Council (FEC) earlier in the year, the dispute over meters supply contract that started since 2003, was resolved by a Court approved settlement on Thursday the 9th day of November 2017.
C. This means that there will be N37 billion available for meter supply by the contractor to DisCos who want to partner and can reach their independent agreement with the contractor. While we await the regulations by NERC, a lot of preparatory work can be done.
D. To the communities in Ondo State around Okitipupa, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala in Anambra State, Mowe in Ogun State, and others across the country, we have not forgotten you.
E. The problems of right of way for 11Kv and 33Kv distribution lines within the states is one that we must overcome together. I have signed letters last week to all 36 state governors and the FCT minister, with copies to each DisCo asking them to support you in protecting and recovering the right of way for your distribution lines so that you can serve their states and residents better.
I will conclude my remarks by referring to the local communities under the Benin DisCo and address the issues that affect you while you host us:
1) Asaba - Benin 330KV line was energized to service on 3rd November 2017. Asaba 330kv substation is now being fed from both Benin and Onitsha. The line also raised the number of circuits from Onitsha to Benin to 3 (THREE).
2) Presently a 40mva 132/33kv mobile transformer is undergoing installation at Auchi with in-house capacity to be commissioned in 2 (TWO) weeks time.
3) A new 330/ 132kv substation is to be constructed at Okpai with a 132kv line from the station to service a proposed 132/33kv substation at Kwale. The procurement of the projects are ongoing.
4) Installation of a new 60mva 132/33kv transformer is to commence at Irrua transmission station any time from now.
On a final note, I am happy to announce that we have recovered $64,630,055:00 from our international customers in Benin Republic and Republic of Niger. The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader, (NBET) will work out the modalities for distribution.
Thank you for your attention.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing
Monday 13th November 2017
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