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

2017

Fashola Reiterates FG’s Commitment to Co-Operate with State Governments to Achieve Their developmental Agenda The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to assist every state in the Federation towards the achievement of their developmental agenda within the scope of the nation’s Constitution. Fashola stated this at the beginning of his inspection tour of road projects in the South-West geo-political zone with a courtesy visit on the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. The Minister who had travelled from Abuja by road to the state capital, Ado Ekiti said that help is on the way with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as far as road infrastructure is concerned; adding that the President is committed to redeem the expenses of state governments on federal roads. He explained that the Federal Government is in the process of raising bonds to ensure that states get their money back. He expressed the optimism that the government at the Federal level will assist the state to achieve its agenda, as the ministry is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Finance in providing the fund required for payment to construction companies. Fashola also enjoined State Governments to treat the Federal Controllers of works and Housing in the various states as they treat Ambassadors in order to make the roads safe and motorable. He asked for seamless relationship and co-operation as the Controllers would be held accountable for the condition of federal roads within their domain. He expressed appreciation to the State Government for the provision of land for the National Housing Programme which he said would be beneficial to the state as it would provide jobs and economic opportunies for indigenes of Ekiti State. Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Engineer Hezekiah Kehinde, had briefed the Governor and senior officials of the State on the situation of the various Federal roads in the State. Governor Ayodele Fayose, in his response stated that for the Minister to travel by road from Abuja to Ekiti, “to feel what the ordinary Nigerians are feeling on the road” is enough statement to convince people of the Minister’s passion and commitment to improve the status of the roads and the well being of Nigerians. The Governor promised to remove the signposts which he had erected on federal roads in the state and to tone done his criticism of the Federal Government, hoping that the Minister will match words with action. Mr. Fayose asked the Minister to revisit the issue of payment to the State Government for the intervention on the Akure-Ikere-Ado Ekiti federal road on which he had done a lot and spent a considerable amount of about N2billion. ...

Mar

2017

FG To Pay Outstanding Debt Owed To The State Governments-Fashola. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has rekindled the hope of state governments across the nation that Federal Government is working assiduously to see that in no distant time, the money incurred by the states on Federal road projects will be paid back, saying that “Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to fulfill his promise by paying all expense incurred by the state governments on federal roads.” Fashola revealled this in Osogbo while playing a courtesy call on the Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in his office during an inspection tour to Federal government projects under his ministry in the South-West geo-political zone recently. He explained that the Federal Government is working hard to see that bond is raised so that states get their money back. The Minister stated that the purpose for the Federal government to post the Federal Controllers to the state of the federation is not to engage in rivalry game but to strengthening the cordial relations between the Federal and the state governments, therefore they are partners in progress and they must be seen as the representative of Federal Government. Fashola applauded Osun state government for its quick intervention on Gbongan-Kwara state boundary road, which will ultimately going to lead to economic recovery of Nigerians as well as reducing the travel time of the commuters plying along this corridor. In his response, the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, expressed his gratitude to the Minister and by extension to President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping to his promises since assumption of office. The governor explained the seal for his administration to embark on infrastructural development. He said “his government appreciates importance of infrastructure development as one of the ways that will improve economic activities as well as employment generation of the people, hence the government took a giant step to intervene in many road projects across the state, whether Federal Government roads, state roads or local government roads”. While at Ondo state governor’s office earlier in the day, the Minister used the visit to appeal to the government of Ondo State to co-operate with the Federal Controllers posted to the state because Federal Government realized that for Nigerians to fully feel the impact of government in terms of infrastructural development, there must be collaboration between the Federal and State governments, therefore, it must be noted that Federal Government is not in a game of rivalry with any state governments. He solicited for endurable co-operation between the state government and Federal Controllers in the state; saying that “this is necessary because development anchors on peaceful co-existence among the key actors in the system.” He concluded by saying that the Controllers in the state would be held responsible should there be any deplorable condition of Federal projects within the purview of the areas of their assignments. Fashola who was in Ondo State en-route Ekiti State said that help is on the way with the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari as far as road infrastructure development is concerned; saying that “the President is committed to refund all money spent by the state governments on federal roads.” While responding, the governor appreciated the Minister’s visit, saying that it is a sign of many good things that await the new administration in the state. He appealed to the Minister on Owo-Akungba-Okene road and said “due to its strategic position of the road needed to be dualised as this is the only road connecting South West to Northern States from the Ondo axis.” He also called on the Minister to bailout some communities who have been experiencing total blackout for more than six months. ...

Mar

2017

Infrastructural Development: FG Promises Prompt Payment Of Contractors The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the constrictors handling various road projects across the country of prompt payment of their money as soon as their works are certified for payment. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, affirmed this during a press interview at Apapa Wharf in Lagos to mark the end of his inspection tour of the Federal Government projects in the South-West. He said that unlike before when contractors were owed for more than two years “President Muhammadu Buhari has given marching order to relevant agencies to see that delaying contractors’ money after certification of their works is no longer tolerated. All hands must be on deck to ensure that ongoing projects nationwide continue apace with regular funding” The Minister also stated that as soon as the third quarter capital allocation is released, government will fulfill its promise by paying the contractor’s. He further added that if fourth quarter capital allocation is released before 2016 rolling plan rolls out, they should also expect additional payment and if otherwise, the payment will roll over to 2017 rolling plan. He concluded by saying that all stakeholders are working tirelessly to meet up with Mr. President’s directive. Fashola applauded the contractors for the level of the on-going road projects across the states he visited. According to him “in all the sites so far visited across the nation, works are moving progressively, and it will be unjust for any government official to hold back their money.” The Minister explained that some of what used to be the federal roads now fall within the metropolitan areas or state. He called on the state governments to takeover such roads for proper managing. He added that this will avail Federal Government the opportunity of taking adequate steps to efficiently manage the federal roads nationwide and to serve Nigerians better. He also said that the decision of the Federal Government to repositioning the economy through infrastructural development has begun to materialise; mentioning “that the contractors on many of the federal roads across the nation are back to construction sites and thus assisting in relating to the host communities and further generating employment for Nigerians. Fashola said that government is working hard to strengthen the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), by constituting a governing board in line with the provision of its setup, as well as creating enabling environment where its mandate will be realised. The Minister enjoined the state governments to embrace the policy on national housing by making land available for government. According to him “such provision however, should be accessible to people, otherwise it will be a fruitless effort for government to invest fortunes on a policy that people will not appreciate; people must be considered before allocating land for national housing policy.” ...