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.

Mar

2018

FG Inaugurates Governing Council For Federal School Of Surveying The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has urged the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo to be mindful of the purpose for which they were nominated and ‘be problem solvers, solution finders and peace builders” in the onerous task ahead of them. While inaugurating the Governing Council on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Fashola explained that the Council will be responsible, as provided by the Act establishing the School, for the general management of its affairs, control of its properties and finances. He added that the purpose of the Schoo, is to “provide instructions, training and research in survey and related courses”. The Minister explained that the objective for which the School was established, which is to produce technical, professional and other skilled manpower necessary for surveying and mapping, requires it to function properly in carrying out its mandate. He further added that part of the Ministry’s mandate to formulate and implement the policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria is to survey and map out both internal and international boundaries and this, he said would require appropriate contributions from skilled manpower, without which the task will be difficult to achieve. Fashola urged members of the Governing Council to always deal with the challenges of producing skilled manpower and professional surveyors. He reiterated President Buhari’s commitment to infrastructure development, citing the security challenges facing some schools as there would be need to plan how to rebuild, merge and protect such schools, especially those destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. He encouraged them to cultivate the spirit of team work, reflect transparency and accountability so as to properly represent the Federal Government. In his remarks at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of State II, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma stated that as an Alumus of the School, its standards has drastically dropped, thereby charging the newly inaugurated members to do their utmost zest in restoring the past glory of the School. The Chairman of the Governing Council and Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surv. Ebisintei Awudu, in his acceptance speech, on behalf of other members, thanked Mr. President as well as the Ministers for the confidence repose in them, while promising that the Council will not disappoint the Ministry in carrying out its assignment. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed Bukar, Directors of the Ministry and family members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council were in attendance at the occasion. ...

Mar

2018

FG Creates Long Time Funding For Infrastructural Development- As Fashola Inspects Roads And Mass Housings Projects The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has said that the federal government is working hard to ensure the creation of infrastructural funding to finance roads, power and mass housing projects among others across the nation. According to him, ‘’funding of critical infrastructure will prevent the inherited and reoccurrence of abandon projects due to lack of budgetary provision’’. He added that departments of government agencies are already working closely to put in place, a structure for long time funding of federal projects. The Minister on arrival in Kano paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abdulahi Ganguje and commended the state government for its critical role in economic development of the country. He stated that the construction of the 360 kilometers Abuja-Kaduna-Zaira-Kano roads has been awarded to Julius Berger, adding that while the contract is been formalized, a routine maintance is been undertaking by the Metropolitan and Mothercat construction companies. In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kano, Prof. Adis Abubakar, on behalf of the governor, thanked the Minister for significant federal government ongoing projects in the state and expressed the readiness of the state government to continue to partner with the ministry. Fashola also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Mohammad Sanusi Lamido in his palace, stating his mission is to attend a Top Management Retreat organised by the ministry in Kano and that he has deemed it necessary to pay homage to him. He stated that on his way to the palace, he stopped over to inspect the Tamburawa Bridge project which has been damaged by artisanal and illegal sand mining activities and erosion. He enjoined the emir to appeal to the illegal miners to move farther away from the construction location to enable the contractor undertaking the repair works deliver appropriately on the project. In his response, His Royal Highness, Mohammad Sanusi Lamido applauded the efforts of President Mohammadu Buhari for paying attention to critical infrastructural development projects across the country since assumption of office. He added that electricity and power generation has significantly increased, which has translated into the creation and revival of more industries in Kano and the country at large. According to him, ‘’Kano as a city and state, is experiencing about 16 to 18 hours uninterrupted power supply in the last one year or so’’. In a similar development, the Minister also inspected the National Housing Programme undergoing construction at Rigachchukwun, Kaduna North. He said that government is running a pilot scheme of housing prototypes to test the level of acceptability and affordability of Nigerians before embarking on a large scale construction of mass housing programme. The Minister added that the gains of the present administration is getting people to work and restoring their dignity. He cited the case of one of the labourer in Kaduna site called Ado, who has earned a living and even married a wife by productively engaged in the construction of the housing project some 8 months ago. ‘’We are starting an eco system of activities such as sand; paint, gravel and roofing sheet’’. According to him, ‘’if you imagine 10 of these sites in Kaduna and 10 in each state of the federation and thousand of Ado who can go to work every day, that is a victory to me and I can say to the government’’. ...

Mar

2018

"Funding Key To Infrastructure Development" - Engr. Mohammed Adequate funding has been identified as a key ingredient to road development and, indeed, all aspects of development. This was disclosed by the Director, Highways, North East, Engr. Rufa'i Mohammed, while on an inspection of on going construction works on Federal roads in the Zone. 2. While briefing Mediamen, at the end of the Tour of Duty, the Director opined that past Administrations paid lip service to road development financing, stressing that "the entire 2015 Capital Allocation to the Works Sector was a mergre N18 billion compared to over N200 billion in 2016 and N... for 2017., hence the accelerated development of road infrastructure being witnessed, nationwide." 3. Engr. Rufa'i observered that though the personnel responsible for planning, supervision, monitoring and development of road infrastructure in the country, in the Ministry and the construction industry remain, largely, unchanged, the financing has significantly changed. 4. The Director, Highways, North East Zone further disclosed that, apart from increased budgetary allocations, the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has, recently, released additional funds to select 25 - road and brigde projects, under the Sukuk (bonds), a novel financing window hitherto unexplored in the provision of critical road infrastructure, in Nigeria. 5. Recurring decimals from all the Federal road projects visited in the Zone were increased tempo of work occassioned by adequate funding, out pouring of ecomious on the Federal Government from the contractors, motorists, benefiting communities, construction workers and service providers and, most importantly, reduction in travel time and the cost of vehicle maintenance. None of the Federal Controllers of Works in the States visited nor the Contractors complained about lack of paymen for certified jobs executed. 6. Some of the projects visited are, but not limited to ; Dualisation of Kano - Maiduguri Road, Sections II ( Shuwarin - Azare in Jigawa and Bauchi States ), III ( Azare-Potiskum in Bauchi and Yobe States ), IV ( Potiskum - Damaturu ) and V ( Damaturu - Maiduguri in Yobe and Borno States ) and the Rehabilitation of Gombe - Numan - Yola Road, Phase II ( Gombe - Kaltungo in Gombe State) and the Emergency Reinstatement of Failed Sections of Gombe - Bauchi Road in Gombe State. Others include the Rehabilitation of Damaturu - Biu Road in Yobe and Borno States, Rehabilitation of Nguru - Gashua - Bayamari Road, Section I, Phase I ( Nguru - Gashua in Yobe State ), Rehabilitation of Nguru -Gashua - Bayamari Road, Section II, Phase I ( Gashua - Bayamari in Yobe State ), Construction of Ningi - Yadagungume - Fuskar Mata Road, Phase III in Bauchi and Plateau States, Construction of Burga - Dull - Mbatt ll - Tandum - Gobbiya - Badagari - Gwarangar - Sum Road in Bauchi State and the Construction of Yalo - Bashar - Dengi Road in Bauchi and Plateau States ...