Federal Ministry of Works

Oct

2025

LATEST PRESS

Ministry Officials Pay Condolence Visit to Essan Community Over Lives Lost in Tanker Explosion
~ Promise Accelerated Palliative Works

The Federal Ministry of Works has extended its heartfelt condolences to the people of Essan Community in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State following the tragic tanker explosion that claimed several lives and caused extensive damage in the area.

The delegation, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident. The Director, Highways, North Central, delivered the Minister’s message. Salihu Kolapo Ahmed, during a visit to the community head, the Dekechi of Essan, Alhaji Muhammad Dauda Muhammad.

Engr. Umahi commiserated with the bereaved families and the entire community, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable tragedy. He assured the people that the Federal Government remains committed to improving the condition of the road network in the country to prevent similar accidents in the future.

> “The Federal Ministry of Works mourns with you at this difficult time. We pray for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and strength for the families they left behind,” Engr. Umahi conveyed through his representative.

“This sad event underscores the urgent need to accelerate, especially, the ongoing Reconstruction of the Lambata-Lapai-Agaie-Bida Road in Niger State. We are fully committed to ensuring safer and more reliable road infrastructure to avert future occurrences of such tragedies.”

Following the message, prayers were offered for the repose of the departed souls and divine comfort for the grieving families.

Responding, the Dekechi of Essan, Alhaji Muhammad, expressed deep appreciation to the Honourable Minister for his compassion and prompt response. He lamented the poor condition of the road linking the area, describing it as a “death trap” that has continued to endanger the lives of road users.

> “We thank the Honourable Minister for standing with us in our moment of grief. The bad state of the road has made movement extremely difficult and dangerous. We appeal to the Federal Government to give urgent attention to this route so that lives can be saved,” the community head said.

He called on the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to stop, forthwith, the overburdening of articulated vehicles with human beings, revealing that most of those who lost their lives in the inferno were such travelers not indigenes.

The Ministry reaffirmed its resolve to prioritise the reconstruction of the road as part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety, ease transportation challenges, and support economic development in the State and Nigeria, in general.

“The Honourable Minister has directed that immediate assessments be carried out on the affected section with a view to implementing lasting engineering solutions that will improve safety and mobility,” Engr. Ahmed stressed.

The visit underscores the Ministry’s human-centered approach under the leadership of Engr. David Umahi, CON, remains focused on building durable road infrastructure and responding promptly to the needs and concerns of Nigerian communities affected by road-related tragedies.

Engr. Ahmed described the pace of work on the affected alignment as “too slow and unacceptable,” directing the contractor, Messrs CGC (Nig.) Ltd. to quickly deploy more resources and approach the work from more locations. “The contractor needs to mobilise more equipment to the site and let us have free movement of vehicles. Failure to do so, in the next few days, will attract decisive action,” he stated.

The Project Manager, Mr. Fan Bo, assured that the company would mobilise more equipment within days to intensify work and ease the movement of people, goods, and services on the critically failed portions of the road.

The Deputy Director, Construction at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, Niger State, Engr. Nasir Ahmed, disclosed that the Minister’s directive was aimed at ensuring free vehicular movement and reducing frequent accidents along the busy corridor.
“This is a follow-up to the Niger State governor’s efforts. The Minister wants serious action so that there will be no more gridlocks or accidents on this road,” he added.

He urged motorists, especially truck drivers, to remain patient and cooperate with the contractors during the construction period.
“Their impatience causes a lot of the nuisances we see. They should be patient and follow instructions so that work can progress smoothly,” he advised.

The 124.8-kilometre project, awarded several years ago, was phased into two sections by the current administration, with Phase 1 covering 92 kilometres from Lambata to Agaei, valued at N39 billion, remaining 10 kilometres to completion, and Phase 2, which covers the most critical section from Agaei to Bida, is soon to be awarded.

Apr

2024

Lagos 3RD Mainland Bridge Reopens Today The Lagos 3RD Mainland Bridge is to reopen to traffic today in the coming hours. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator David Nweze Umahi in a phone call in the early hours of today,directed the Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr Mrs O.I.Kesha to open the Bridge to traffic inorder to ease the stress which motorist have been subjected to, during the period of the first phase of Rehabilitation works on the Bridge Speaking to journalists soon after the directive, the Minister of Works said, the successful completion of the first phase of the Rehabilitation works which was started and completed by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration is a clear Indication that President Tinubu is working . Senator Umahi called on all Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President ,maintaining however, that nothing good comes so easy. The Minister revealed that work has already begun on the underwater damage to the bridge, which is the second phase of the Rehabilitation works on the bridge. Similarly, the Minister said, Rehabilitation works will commence on the Carter bridge in the coming weeks, adding that the contractor has already been mobilised. ...

Mar

2024

Federal Government Approves Funding of 30km Dualization of Three Sections of Benin- Lokoja Highway Under Tax Credit Scheme by BUA Group 1. In a bid to provide urgent and accelerated intervention on the critical sections of the Benin- Lokoja Federal Highway, the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has approved the immediate funding of 30km dualization of three sections of the road, to be funded under Tax Credit Scheme by BUA Group. The Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON made this known during a meeting with all the contractors handling the Benin- Lokoja Federal Highway and some stakeholders from the area. The Honourable Minister said that the Ministry took some steps to review the texture of the pavement of the project to conform to the new innovation introduced by Renewed Hope administration to ensure best standards and durability According to him, "I first went through the road in September, and when I went through it, I was very satisfied that BPP and the Ministry did very fantastic work. But all I did was to keep the project but review the texture of the pavement. And so we allowed the existing carriageway to be on asphalt and then reviewed the new carriageway to be on concrete. Being satisfied, so we went through the process of notifying the BPP, and from there, we went to FEC, and graciously, FEC approved, and so we are in the process of signing an addendum to the contract." "Mr. President has approved that BUA Group should do 30km of the road in 3 locations multiplied by 2, that is 60km on Tax Credit" 2. The Honourable Minister commended BUA Group for their interest to handle the construction of the 30 km carriageway under Tax Credit Scheme and said the intervention was targeted at the critical sections of the road as already isolated when he last visited the Benin- Lokoja road. He stated, "Let me commend BUA plc very highly, because on their own they had indicated interest to do about 30km of the road on tax credit. That was one of the reasons I decided to go and revisit the road to know the section they needed to do and also to open the road. So, we had to open the road. We appealed to the road transport workers, that work would start Monday, the next week. That was 18th, and indeed, we briefed the President, and then Senator Adam Oshiomhole now came with the full weight of his person. " 3. Speaking on behalf of the people of the area, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senator Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole praised the determination of the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President in changing the socio-economic narrative of the nation through aggressive road infrastructure transformation and the uncommon commitment of the Honourable Minister of Works in achieving the vision of Mr. President on road infrastructure development. The Senator who came in the company of the APC Candidate in the Edo State September 2024 Governorship election and Senator representating Edo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Monday Okpebholo expressed his profound pleasure over the new paradigm in the Federal Ministry of Works, noting that the Ministry under Sen. Umahi has recorded unprecedented performance in the road infrastructure development within the shortest period of time. He said, " I was shocked that within 72 hours this Minister did not only hear the word of the President, he packaged what I have seen from the briefing to be a doable and workable approach to solving a problem that four or five ministers before him could not solve. So I wish to ask us to appreciate his energy, his drive, and his focus, without which we will not be here today." 4. In their separate remarks, the Governorship candidate of APC in Edo, Sen Monday Okpebholo said, "Mr. President has rekindled our hope. Just within the shortest time of our request to the Honourable Minister, magic has been done, if this is how Nigeria works; everybody will want to come back home, nobody will want to 'japa'." On his part, the Group Executive Director of BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu, assured of the commitment of the company in delivering the project within a record time. In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Yakubu Adam Kofaramata,PhD, appreciated Mr. President for the new narrative in the Federal Ministry of Works, which is made possible by the appointment of a workaholic and highly committed Honourable of Works. ...

Mar

2024

Governors of Kwara and Kogi States Visit Hon. Minister of Works, Seek Federal Government's Intervention on The Ilorin - Lokoja Dualization of the Federal Highway 1. The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has assured that the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to addressing the accumulated road infrastructural needs of the country as that would contribute progressively to the reinvigoration of the national and sub-national economies. This was contained in the message of the Hon. Minister of Works during the courtesy visit of the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum, His Excellency, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja on 11th March 2024. 2. The Honourable Minister said that holistic attention is being given to the Federal roads in all the States of the Federation by Mr. President, and this could be seen in the numerous road projects going on in the country under the Renewed Hope administration. "In all honesty, the roads are very terrible. But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now, you will see a lot of commitment by Mr. President, not just on that stretch..., but all over the country. That's why he directed that I must visit all the States and all the projects." He assured the Governors who visited that the Ministry would look at the funding mechanism to kick-start the project once approved by Mr. President, as it is not contemplated by the budget. "And so, for coming and you had discussed this project with Mr. President, he does not joke with the welfare of Nigerians. He's one person that is infrastructure committed right from when he was Governor. Even on his own personal businesses, you'll see the development of infrastructure. So, he's very much interested. He understands that the road is everything in this country. It will improve security, improve agriculture, improve commerce and so on and so forth." 3. Speaking on behalf of the Governors that visited, the Governor of Kwara State said the purpose of their visit was to bring the condition of the Ilorin-Lokoja road to the attention of the Federal Government for possible intervention, adding that the road which also stretches to Markurdi, Gboko up to the Republic of Benin is key not only to the enhancement of the economy, but also to the development of solid mineral and agriculture in Nigeria. He expressed delight in the abundant interventions of Mr. President on road infrastructure across the nation and hoped that with the outcome of their meeting, the Federal Government would look into ways and means to fund the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization. He stated, "The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization of the Federal Highway. And it's a very major important road, which is not just an economic road, it is a belt of solid minerals in Nigeria and agricultural belt. So that road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce, agriculture." ...

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Jul

2024

OTHER NEWS

Sep

2021

2023 Elections: Fashola Distances Self from The Antics of Unsolicited Support Groups

The Media Office of the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has urged well-meaning people to disregard the invitation of some Groups, operating under The Nigeria Project 2023, purportedly to the inauguration of a Support Group for the Minister and the Governor of Borno State over the 2023 elections.

The social media was awash at the weekend with a poster from the Group allegedly presenting the Honorable Minister and the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum as Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates respectively of an unnamed political party.

Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handwork of mischief makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key reasons.

The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the Honorable Minister had been contacted or if the Groups had his consent in issuing the invitation.

Without equivocation, no individual or Group has contacted the Honorable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023. As Honorable Minister, Mr Fashola is currently focused on leading his dedicated Team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure; and affordable Housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.

Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party. As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Honorable Minister.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing, the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN urges members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and Support Groups whose real intentions remain questionable. Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all.

SPEECHES

Nov

2019

DPRS Council of Works Remarks

Introductory Remarks by The Director Planning Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Dr. Famous S. Eseduwo at the On-going 25th Meeting of The National Council on Works at Calabar on Monday, 25th November, 2019.

PROTOCOL

I am delighted, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, to welcome you to the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works with the theme: “INFRASTRUCTURE AS THE PARHWAY FOR PROSPERITY”, holding here in Calabar, Cross River State from today, Monday 25th to Thursday 29th November, 2019.

2. I wish to express our profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the Honourable Minister of State Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu FNSE, the Permanent Secretary Mohammed Bukar, the Directors and entire staff of the Ministry for their support in organizing this meeting.

3. As you are aware, the Meeting of the National Council of Works is an annual event and the highest policy formulating organ of the Works sector where stakeholders in the Works sector deliberate on issues concerning the Sector.

4. It is important to highlight that the council meeting is signaled by a two day technical meeting of Directors and the Permanent Secretaries Meeting. Our responsibility is to create a solid and resourceful foundation by diligently reviewing the memoranda submitted and fine-turning the recommendations for presentation to Council through the Meeting of Permanent Secretaries.

5. I urge all Directors present to own up to the process and show the right attitude and commitment towards heralding a successful Council Meeting.

6. At this juncture, I will like to assure you that all necessary arrangements have been put in place by the Ministerial Organizing Committee (MOC) and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensure the success of this year’s Council Meeting. The secretariat is available for any possible assistance.

7. Once again, I welcome you to the 2-day brainstorming session preceding this year’s National Council Meeting on Works and also wish you all a fruitful deliberation.
Thank you.