Federal Ministry of Works

Feb

2026

LATEST PRESS

FG COMMISSIONS REHABILITATED SECTIONS OF GWADA-SHIRORO ROAD, RESTORES CONNECTIVITY AND SAFETY IN NIGER STATE AND BEYOND

The Federal Ministry of Works has officially commissioned the completed critically failed sections of the Gwada–Shiroro Road Section 1 in Niger State, alongside Emergency Repairs of Embankment Washouts and the Construction of a 2-Cell Box Culvert on the same alignment. The projects are part of the 260 Emergency/Special Intervention Projects carried out, nationwide, by the Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in order to salvage the nation’s road network. It signals a significant milestone in restoring connectivity, safety, and economic activities in the affected areas.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, which forms an integral component of a National Media Tour, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW) in Niger State, Engineer Eyitayo Aluko, welcomed members of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), community leaders, residents, members of the press, and other stakeholders. He informed the gathering that he represents the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE in the State, describing the intervention as “two projects in one.”
Engineer Aluko explained that the ceremony site was previously a critical failure point on the road, where a one-cell pipe culvert had collapsed due to its flawed design and overburdenedness. The collapse of the culvert severely disrupted the movement of people, goods, and services, moving in and out of Gwada town into a major challenge for commuters and residents.

“Before our intervention, movement through Gwada was a nightmare. The pipe cover here was inadequate and eventually collapsed. We had to intervene urgently,” said the Controller. According to him, the Ministry improved the infrastructure by replacing the collapsed one-cell pipe culvert with a two-cell box culvert measuring 2.0m x 2.0m, significantly enhancing water flow capacity and structural stability, and durability. He noted that the project has since been completed and traffic has fully resumed.
In addition to the construction of the culvert, the FCW disclosed that several failed sections of the Gwada–Shiroro Road were rehabilitated to improve travel time, road safety and reduce wear and tear of vehicles. The scope of work included embankment washout remediation, construction of the box culvert, laying of stone base, granular course, and asphalt surfacing.
The projects were awarded to Messrs Wise Spin Limited and Messrs High Dee Construction Limited, and have been substantially completed and put to use.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Representative of COREN, Engineer Dr. Bala Saliu, who is also the Chairman of the Engineering Regulation Committee of COREN, Niger State Chapter, commended the intervention, describing it as professional, timely, and impactful.

“This intervention speaks for itself. The project has been put to use, and you can see the community's happiness. Despite how remote this area is, its economic and social importance cannot be overemphasised,” he further noted.

He added that similar critical areas exist across Niger State and expressed confidence that the Federal Government would continue to intervene to ease the challenges faced by commuters and residents.

The Secretary General, NSE, Minna Branch, Engineer Abubakar Kawu also praised the delivery of the two projects. He described the Gwada–Shiroro Road as a strategic route that required urgent attention.
“This timely intervention has significantly reduced road accidents and increased socioeconomic activities. This road leads to the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station, a major contributor to power generation in Nigeria,” he recalled. He further stated that the road rehabilitation would positively impact the power and energy sectors, while affirming that the project meets required engineering standards and professional regulations.

The Mai Anguwa (Ward Head) of the immediate benefiting community, Alhaji Alhassan Zarumi, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government for extending the nationwide road intervention initiative to his people. He described the road as a former “death trap” and emphasised its importance as a link to the Shiroro Power Station and other surrounding towns and villages.

“If this place were not repaired, I wonder if we would be passing here today. Now, we can move freely and safely. We thank the Federal Government, the Engineers, and the contractors for a job well done,” he said.

In his remarks before performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Chapter, Comrade Uriah Tsado Gana, thanked President Tinubu and the Minister of Works for ensuring the successful completion of the project.

The Team visited ongoing works on the Bida–Lemu–Wushishi–Zungeru Road, Phase 1, which commences from Yesso Junction in Bida Town to Yazhigi. Giving an update on the progress of work, the FCW revealed that the road shoulders are being constructed with 200mm thick concrete, and that approximately 16 kilometers of asphaltic binder course have been completed out of the 29.5-kilometer project length - representing about 40 percent completion. He added that the contractor is actively on site and is expected to complete the binder course within the next two months, after which the asphaltic wearing course will be applied.

The Project Manager of Gerawa Global Engineering Limited, Engineer Adam S. Adam, corroborated the update and highlighted initial challenges faced during project execution, including security concerns and attempted kidnappings. He disclosed that with the support of the Ministry, community leaders, and security stakeholders, these issues have been fully resolved and work is ongoing. “We are now working day and night. The problems have been resolved completely, and the quality of work speaks for itself,” he stated.

Also present was the NSE official, Engineer Aliyu, who attested to the project’s compliance with engineering standards and professional ethics, giving kudos to the company handling the work.

The Ministry continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing national road infrastructure with the execution of major highway projects across Niger State, aimed at improving connectivity between the Northern and Southern parts of the country, guaranteeing safety, and enabling socio-economic development. Another strategic project underway in the State is the Jebba–Mokwa–Bokani Junction Road (Section II), which forms part of the Trans-Sahara Road Network, linking Lagos in the South West geopolitical zone to Northern Nigeria through Kwara State.

The route is a vital artery that carries heavy volumes of articulated traffic on a daily basis. And the project is redesigned as a Dual Carriageway with a pavement structure consisting of 7.3-metre-wide asphaltic concrete carriageways on each side, complemented by 3.0m and 2.75m wide surface-dressed shoulders. The pavement layers include a 200mm thick sub-base, 275mm stone base, and two asphaltic concrete layers of 75mm binder course and 50mm wearing course.

The road section commences at the northern end of the River Niger Bridge in Jebba and terminates at the Bokani Junction, with a total length of 46.0 kilometres. It involves the construction of an additional carriageway that intersects the existing one at various alignments, traversing farmlands, settlements, and diverse terrains, including hills, valleys, streams, and ridges. Interchanges will also be constructed at major intersections to facilitate free-traffic flow. The project is being executed by Messrs CGC (Nigeria) Limited.

In addition, the Federal Government is presently rehabilitating the Minna–Zungeru–Tegina Road (Section I), also a major transportation link connecting Northern and Southern Nigeria and a vital route for the movement of industrial and agricultural goods. The road has suffered severe deterioration over the years, characterized by deep potholes, failed carriageway sections, frequent accidents, and prolonged travel time.

Section I of the project stretches 94.987 kilometres from Minna to Tegina, comprising a 10.90km dualised urban section within Minna town and an 84.087-kilometre single carriageway through inter-urban and non-urban areas. The scope of work includes the rehabilitation of the single-carriageway sections and overlay of the existing dual carriageway, which remains in fair condition. The road traverses about eighteen communities, including Maikonlele, Kuyi, Gusase, Zungeru, Akusu, Garum Gabas, and Gatako, terminating at Tegina.

The existing infrastructure includes several pipe and box culverts, as well as seven bridges, many of which are slated for repair and maintenance due to siltation and structural degradation. The project is being handled by Messrs Develevo (Nigeria) Limited in partnership with Messrs HMF Construction Limited.

Similarly, Section II of the Minna–Zungeru–Tegina Road, covering the Tegina–Kontagora axis, is also receiving intervention. This section is a single carriageway extending from Tegina to Kontagora, with its zero chainage at a Y-Junction off the Mokwa–Makera–Kaduna State border road and terminating at the Kontagora roundabout. The road passes through several semi-rural communities, including Gimi, Babban Gona, Mariga, Bobi, Beri, Tungan Ahmadu, Tadali, and Machanga.

The existing carriageway, though originally constructed to standard specifications, has suffered erosion of shoulders and deterioration of pavement in several sections. The project includes the replacement of substandard culverts, desilting of existing drainage structures, and maintenance works on six bridges along the corridor to ensure structural integrity and improved hydraulic performance. The contractor handling this section is Glamor Engineering Nigeria Limited.

Upon completion, these projects are expected to significantly reduce road accidents, shorten travel time, improve the movement of goods, both industrial and agricultural, and strengthen economic activities across Niger State and its neighbours. The Administration remains committed to delivering quality road infrastructure that enablers of national growth and improves the quality of life of Nigerians. Road users, members of the benefiting communities along the corridors visited, and different stakeholders were full of praises to Mr. President’s infrastructure renaissance.

Mohammed A. Ahmed
Director, Information and Public Relations.
1 February, 2026.

Jan

2023

Fashola Inaugurates 1.8 Km Internal Road for Federal University Birnin-Kebbi .... Road intervention special in our history - VC Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 inaugurated the 1.8-kilometer internal road constructed by the Ministry in the Federal University in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The Minister, in his address said, Federal government has provided 83 internal road intervention projects in various Federal tertiary institutions across the country. The Minister was represented by Engr. Bugu James Federal Controller of Works in Kebbi State office. The Vice chancelor of the University, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan Umar described the road intervention as very special in the history of the institution, in addition to beautifying the environment and making movement easier within the institution. Fashola stated that the Federal Government remained committed to bridging the infrastructure gaps in the country including those of institutions of learning, in view of the importance of infrastructure to learning environment and quality of education. He said " It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment". Accordingly, he explained that the gap in infrastructure was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways, and had now reached the schools. The Minister said the Ministry has successfully intervened in 64 internal road projects in various Federal Tertiary institutions and handed over a total of 46 as at March 2022, with another 18 were ready to be handed over, while 19 roads in similar institutions were currently being attended to across the country, making a total of 83. The Minister said the road project had not only benefited the students and the school community but also provided jobs for youths, stating that 33 jobs had been created in the process of construction in the Federal University in Birnin Kebbi. In his remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar said that, the University has been enjoying the support of the Federal Government, and that this tremendous support has made it possible for the institution to achieve academic excellence as well as massive infrastructural development. Professor Umar expressed profound gratitude to H.E, President Muhammadu Buhari for the timely release of funds, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and the Ministry's field officers in Kebbi State for effectively supervising the construction of the road. " The project would impact greatly on the lives of the entire university community while enhancing easy access within the institution" he said. In his testimony, the Deputy Registrar. Abubakar Abdulkadir thanked the federal ministry of works and housing for helping in developing the new institution. " Before now, the area was a forest and was not accessible and no one can believe this area was part of the University. But today the road project has linked the new Senate Building, College of Medicine, Sports complex, students hostel among others " he said. Professor Abdulazeez Shehu, a lecturer in Economics Department described the intervention as impactful on the University as difficult areas were now accessible and the security issue in the sorrounding community has now been solved. The President, Students Union, Commarade Muhammad Muhammad Majo, a student of Industrial Chemistry in the University commended the Federal Government and the Minister for the road intervention. He said " The University permanent site was a forest and un accessible before this road intervention. But now you can see students having free movement from hostels to faculties the sports complex and the new senate building" thanks to the ruling government. ...

Jan

2023

Federal Government Set to Resume Work on Major Highways … Barricades to be restored to ensure safety at construction sites Recall that barricades were removed at all construction sites on December 15,2022 for ease of movement to reduce travel time during the yuletide season. Contractors are now set to resume work on major highways especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (from OPIC to the old toll gate) and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway (around Kawo on the Kaduna-Zaria Section). To this end the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has directed that construction barricades be returned at construction sites for safety purposes with effect from Tuesday, January 10,2023. The Second Niger Bridge will, however, remain closed for public use with effect from Sunday, January 15,2023 for continuation of work on the completion of the access roads to the bridge. The Honourable Minister seeks the patience and understanding of motorists and members of the public on this action aimed at completing the on-going projects. ...

Jan

2023

Fashola Lists Benefits of Loko-Oweto Bridge, Road Project …Says the project would be commissioned soon Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, said the Loko-Oweto bridge and the linking roads when fully completed would be of great benefits to the communities along the corridors of the project, motorists and commuters that use the route. Fashola listed many benefits of the project while on inspection. He disclosed that the bridge had been completed and what remained was the approach roads to the bridge. Fashola said, "This is about my fifth visit here since 2016 when we started out as Power Works and Housing Ministry. There was essentially nothing here. We now have a bridge over the River Benue, 70 Kilometers road linking Benue State to the bridge and we also have another 74 kilometers of road linking Nasarawa State into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. “This Bridge has been finished about two or a year and a half years ago but we are waiting to connect the link roads. The link roads are substantially finished now and I think I can comfortably go and report to Mr. President that this bridge is now ready to be formally commissioned and opened to traffic.” Speaking on the benefits of the project, he said that the Loko-Oweto bridge would provide a shorter route for commuters and motorists. He said that despite the fact that the project has not been officially opened for use, it has offered shorter routes for travelers and reduced travel hours to its barest minimum. “I remember it used to take about four and half hours from Mabushi in Abuja to get here. The main problem was the 74-kilometre road part of which we are standing on now. That road is essentially finished so it took about 30 minutes to get here from the approach road. The journey from Mabushi to here now is two and a half hours from four hours,” he said. Still speaking on the benefits, the Minister said the project has further demonstrated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to infrastructure growth and development of the nation saying, no nation can produce without infrastructure and that it was the legitimate means of distributing wealth of the nation. He said: “But it is important to inform Nigerians that those who speak about production, the economy, should come here and learn what infrastructure can do. You cannot produce without infrastructure. You cannot drive an economy without infrastructure. So, they should come here because this bridge is actually a test case that demonstrates the commitment of Mr. President to infrastructure as a way of boosting our economic growth.” Speaking on behalf of the Emir of Loko, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, Sabo Mai- Loko and the entire community, the Area Council Chairman of Loko, Honourable Shaibu Umah expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari on the construction of the Loko- Oweto bridge which he said has impacted their lives positively. “We thank the Honourable Minister and Mr. President on the Loko- Oweto bridge and the adjoining roads which are near completion. When fully completed and commissioned would provide business opportunities to our community." ...

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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Nov

2025

OTHER NEWS

Aug

2018

Remarks By The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Power, Works And Housing, (Works And Housing Sector), Mohammed Bukar, At The 24th National Council Meeting On Works, Held In Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State

Protocols,

I am pleased to welcome you to the 24th Meeting of the National Council on Works holding in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.

2. As you are aware, the theme of this year’s National Council Meeting is “Ensuring Value-for-Money in Nigerian Highways Development”. The theme is apt and timely, considering our collective resolve to address the challenges in road development in the country within available resources.

3. In order to ensure that this target is achieved, it has become necessary for all the critical stakeholders to consider and provide contemporary policies that will support the attainment of the above target.

4. It is quite instructive that the theme was carefully chosen to ensure prudent spending of available financial resources in Highways development in the country due to the huge investment governments at all levels are making in road development.

5. The Meeting is significant as it will afford us the desired opportunities to identify challenges in the highways sector and develop strategies towards addressing them. We are therefore, expected to explore various realistic means of proper utilization of funds and other resources meant for road projects, to enable quick service delivery, which in turn will fast-track national growth and sustainability. May I also stress on the need to ensure that all our recommendations align with the objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of 2017-2019 which focuses on restoring economic growth, ease of doing business, investing in our people and creating a competitive economy. The achievement of these objectives largely lies on the availability of good road network across the country.

6. Distinguished delegates and officials, the timing of this meeting therefore, is very significant as it affords us the opportunity to think through and make necessary provisions in our various Budgets for the year 2019 and beyond as well as take necessary steps that will ensure money spent on roads impacts on the Nigerian economy, positively.

7. On this note, I once again welcome you all and wish you fruitful deliberations.

8. Thank you.

Speeches

May

2017

Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Inauguration Of The Board Of The Rural Electrification

Although today is only scheduled for the inauguration of the reconstituted board of the Rural Electrification Agency, I feel obliged to make a few comments that I believe shed some light on the plan of the Buhari Administration on our understanding of the purpose and role of this agency.

Before I do so, let me express the gratitude of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the immediate past acting Managing Director and his team and all those who have served in this agency since its inception, for their service and contribution.

It is my expectation that the new team will be able to build on whatever you have left behind, improve on it and ultimately achieve the purpose for which this agency was set up, which is to provide access to electricity for millions of Nigerians who are yet to be connected to the grid.

Although it is called a 'Rural' Electrification Agency, there are many urban and suburban communities that still lack access to power because they have not been connected to the national grid.

Part of the reason for this lack of access is that the 330/132 KV and 132/33 KV lines (popularly called the high-tension wires), by which this connection is often made, run over long distances covering several hundreds of kilometers.

The cost of extending these lines to communities is expensive and where the population in such communities is not large, the price of their electricity will be high because it will be borne by a few people.

Because public tariff is fixed, investments in these lines are not considered attractive and it is easy to pass over these communities or simply attempt grid extensions which have not covered the field and have resulted in many people being left behind.

All of this is about to change and that is why we are here. REA is the champion of these unconnected communities, who have have been left unserved. REA will bring them to mainstream of electricity connectivity by providing and promoting off grid connections.

Let me point out that when the Electricity Sector Reform Act was passed in 2005, it set up the Rural Electrification Agency and mandated that the Rural Electrification Implementation plan should be prepared (within a year) for Presidential Approval.

It is that plan that will set out how to reach the unconnected communities that I spoke about, through a combination of grid extension and development of independent grids, using new technology such as solar, which will mitigate the cost of the long 330/132 KV and 132/33 KV lines which I spoke about.

Unfortunately, nothing was done between 2005 and 2016 about the Rural Electrification Implementation program until 2016 when President Buhari approved this plan. That was a period of inaction of 11 (ELEVEN) years.

Thankfully, all that is behind us. We must look to tomorrow and the promise of increased access to electricity that President Buhari’s approval heralds.

The anchors for implementing Rural Access are:

A. Completion of over 2000 Grid extension projects that started life as constituency projects since 1999 but have now either been abandoned or uncompleted;

B. Resuscitation of 6 (SIX) small Hydro dams and activation of their power component, which have received Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval, have been advertised, and we have received Expressions of Interest which we are evaluating.

C. Development of Independent Power Plants in 37 (THIRTY-SEVEN) federal universities and seven teaching hospitals in rural areas and the building of independent power grids from there to connect adjoining rural and unconnected communities.

Most of these IPPs, at least 27 (TWENTY-SEVEN), will be solar powered and this is the heart of the matter.

This is because President Buhari understands the increasing emergence of renewable energy sources, like solar power from the fringes of the energy debate to the mainstream.

This is why he was one of the first leaders to append his signature on behalf of Nigeria to the Paris agreement.

Most importantly he understands the appeal of renewables generally and Solar in particular to the global youth population and Nigeria's youth.

He understands how impactful a small solar plant can be to a barber, hairdresser, small food processing plant and small businesses generally where our youth are participating in making their contribution to our national development.

He understands and appreciates the role that young people played in building the nation and driving the economy.

This is why he has appointed young people to the leadership and management of this agency, to deliver not only on the promise of their generation but also on the expectation of millions of unconnected people who are living without electricity.

This is why he has constituted a Board of Experience and Youth in this critical agency.

I hope and expect that all of us will rally round and support this new team to deliver on their mandate.

On behalf of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, I promise our fullest support.

It is therefore with pleasure that I formally inaugurate the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency and wish them success in the implementation of the Rural Implementation program.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing