Federal Ministry of Works

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Minister Federal Ministry Of Works Engr. David Umahi.

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Road Construction Inspection Tour.

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Road Construction Inspection Tour.

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.

Mar

2024

Federal Government in Discussion with African Development Bank (AFDB) Over Funding of Sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways for Greater Regional Transport Environment and Economic Integration 1. As part of the action plan of the Federal Government to increase the economic opportunities of the nation and enhance the transnational investment process as envisioned by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has opened a discussion with African Development Bank on possible funding for the construction of some sections of the Coastal and Trans- Sahara Highways in parts of Nigeria. He stated this in a meeting with a delegation from Africa Development Bank (AFDB) led by the Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou held at the office of the Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Works, this 5th March 2024. 2. This project, which the Honourable Minister said would be a measure to provide enduring infrastructure and industrialization along the corridors, is expected to carry a large network of paved highways that will create a good transport environment and trade routes for moving goods and services along the North- South corridors. The Honourable Minister said opportunities of investment on infrastructure development abound along the coastal and trans-sahara routes, including opportunities for investment in the hospitality industry, tourism, agricultural production, estate, park, and industrial business He said that funding would be required to tackle the sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways not yet constructed, awarded, or taken over by concessionaires under the Highway Development and Management Initiative(HDMI). According to him "The coastal road is 700 km. That is phase one and it is running from Lagos through Ogun State to Ondo State, passing through the coastal States of Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and ending in Cross River in 700 kilometers. We have spores to the Ogoja road, the one you did, the African Trans- Sahara Road that is going to Cameroon." He further said."We are sectioning the roads. Just last week, we awarded section one, phase one, and phase one is 47.47 kilometers. It's already awarded to Hi-tech Construction Limited. We have phase two, which is about 57 kilometers, taking us from the end of phase one. Phase one ends at Lekki Peninsula. It takes us from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki deep seaport. Phase two takes us to the boundary between Ogun State and Ondo State. That's about 57km"“. And also said, "it's going to be available for a number of funders under the lead investor, That's Hi-tech Construction Nigeria Limited. So that is available, and when discussion comes up, then there will be a need for us to meet with Hi-tech and the Honourable Minister of Finance Coordinating Minister of the Economy". 3. Earlier in his mission statement, the spokesperson of the team from Africa Development Bank. (AFDB) and Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development said the bank has a mandate to contribute to the sustainable economic development and social progress of its regional members individually and jointly and is therefore prepared as a multilateral institution to offer a robust partnership to the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially by providing technical and financial support for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria. He said, "So as the African Development bank, we are ready to assist you. To make it easy for us, we need to have any studies available to make sure how we can support you on this project. So we are ready, we can see where we can find the resources to support you in structuring the different projects" He further added" And the third one, the dualization of the road between Nigeria and Cameroon will foster regional integration between the two counties, because I believe Nigeria is Cameroon's number one trade partner So, we need to reinforce the modernized infrastructure there." ...

Mar

2024

Works Minister Committed to Speedy and Quality Delivery of Road Infrastructure Nationwide, Says The Policy of No VOP on Mobilization is a Measure to Ensure Value for Money and Timely Completion of Projects 1. The Honourable Minister of Works. His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has restated the commitment of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in ensuring that all the Federal Road projects are executed speedily and delivered in best standards. The Honourable Minister gave this assurance during his inspection visit to the rehabilitation work at Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4( Aba-PH) executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd(CCECC).He commended the contractor handling the project for showing purposefulness, and he therefore announced the revocation of the warning letter issued to CCECC a fortnight ago over their delay in mobilizing to the site despite the government's directive."The warning letter given to CCECC for slow pace of work is hereby revoked. The new pace of work is excellent, the job quality is excellent, and the Controller sends me progress reports every day. " 2. The Honourable Minister, who also inspected the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2 ( Umuahia Tower- Aba Township Rail/ Road) in Abia State, handled by the Arab Contractors; the East West Road section 111( Eleme-Onne junction) in Rivers State handled by Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd; the Rehabilitation of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3( Enugu -Lokpanta) in Enugu State handled by CGC, said he was impressed by the progress of work on the respective projects. He said of RCC" I want to commend RCC openly and with all sincerity. I will also take the quality of work going on to Mr. President because he directed me. I was just barely one week in office when he directed me to go and flag off this project because the leaders of Niger Delta came to visit him, and they complained bitterly about the road. " He spoke of the good job by the Arab Contractors and said," I am very happy that the Arab Contractors has done a good job. I commend the contractor. Anybody who wants to see a good job should come here. The Controller of Abia State is doing extremely well together with his engineers." While at the CGC project site, he said, "I have seen the work they are doing, they are doing a very beautiful work. The job quality is very good and the speed is also very good. They are among the contractors that have the highest number of equipment in any of their project sites. So I commend them very highly. " 3. The contractors who spoke during the inspection visit to their respective projects said they were committed to the new order in road infrastructure development in Nigeria and assured the Honourable Minister that they would ensure quality and speed in the delivery of their road projects. The Project Manager of CCECC in charge of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway, Mr Henry Shaw said, "I am going to assure you that the Honourable Minister, His Excellency is a professional Engineer with a great difference. He knows everything, so nobody can cheat him." ...

Mar

2024

Works Minister Visits Zamfara Governor, Says Dualisation of Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto Highway on Course …..Umahi says no variation on 30% mobilization advanced to contractors “Mr. President has not stopped the dualization of Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto highway rather, the projects will be completed, and the design would even be improved upon.” “There were rumors that Mr. President has stopped this project and even the NNPCL tax credit; that is not the truth at all. In fact, he has given more life to the tax credit of NNPCL.” Adding “though the NNPCL projects are not funded by NNPC 100 percent. We still have a funding gap of over N2.7 trillion to get them completed”. The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, made the disclosure today at Government House Gusau when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal. Affirming the position of the Federal Government, he said “Mr. President has approved that we should take the funding gap to the National Assembly for approval. So, it's not just committed to the commitment of NNPC, but it's committed to the entire completion of the projects. Continuing, he said “he is the one that has asked us to visit this project, just like other ones, they are very important and key to Mr. President. Commending the contractor handling the Sokoto - Gusau road, Sen. Umahi said “we have not seen everything they are doing, but the little we've seen is excellent. in fact, that project, the neatness and quality looks excellent”. Explaining the delay in the progress of work, Sen. Umahi disclosed that “my directive was what slowed down the job. But I have redirected having come and examined the projects.”, he reassured his audience.” On the issue of payment of compensation to those affected by the dualization of the roads, the Honourable Minister called on the relevant State Government to follow the commitment of Sokoto State which has agreed to settle all payments regarding compensation to the people concerned. Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister, while speaking to some journalists along the Gusau - Funtua Road, after inspecting the ongoing work by Setraco, warned contractors that there would be no variation on 30% mobilisation advanced to them. According to him “the contractors must know that I will never pay variation on mobilized funds or works that are delayed.” “Because if we do not obey the timetable, inflection and time will catch up with us.” Stressing “it’s the Federal Government that is losing. That's why if we have little money to complete the project and we prolong it, then the Federal Government is unable to further source for funds”, he reasoned. During his remarks, the Governor of Zamfara State, praised the vision of President Bola Tinubu for the road sector, noting the commitment of the Honourable Minister has truly helped to realize Mr. President’s goals. He expressed his joy about the news that the construction of the Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto was still on course. He therefore pledged the support of his administration to the Federal Government, while requesting Sen. Umahi to look into the rehabilitation of Gusau-Dansadau road. Sen. David Umahi was accompanied to the Government House by former Governor of Sokoto State, now Senator representing Sokoto Central Senatorial Zone, Aminu Tambuwal and other senior government officials. ...

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Jul

2024

OTHER NEWS

Sep

2021

National Council On Works Kicks Off In Bauchi

The 27th National Council on Works has kicked off in Bauchi, Bauchi State capital today, Monday, September 20th, 2021

The four- day Council Meeting has the theme:” Infrastructure Delivery; the Maintenance Economy and National Prosperity.”

In his opening remarks at the technical session, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Jide Ode-Martins, described the theme for this year’s Council as timely, considering the collective resolve to address the challenges in road development in the country within available resources.

He explained that the first 2 days of the meeting will be the technical meeting of the Directors, followed by the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries that will fine-tune the recommendations of the Directors' meeting and other stakeholders.

The outcome of the Permanent Secretaries' meeting, he added, will be presented to the Council meeting of States' Commissioners and heads of relevant agencies under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing for final deliberation.

Accordingly, Ode-Martins stated that the responsibility of the technical meeting of the Directors and other stakeholders was to create a solid and resourceful foundation by reviewing diligently the memoranda submitted by stakeholders.

He called on all the participants to make necessary contributions towards a successful Council Meeting.

“Esteemed delegates and officials, the timing of this meeting is very significant as it affords us the opportunity to think through and make necessary provisions in our various institutions towards adequate infrastructure delivery and cultivate maintenance culture to improve national prosperity,” he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address the Permanent Secretary Bauchi State Ministry of Works and Transport, Engr Stephen Abubakar, said that the theme of the meeting was suitable to the present situation in the country where there was the need to rethink infrastructure delivery and its maintenance for socio-economic development of the nation.

He further said that the meeting would provide the required platform for participants in the works sector to articulate policies that would provide the enabling environment and guide the path that would lead the country in bridging infrastructure gaps through innovative delivery and effective maintenance culture.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were critical stakeholders of the Works sector from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and representatives of the private sector.

SPEECHES

Nov

2019

Speech Delivered By The Honourable Minister Of Works And Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Opening Ceremony Of The 70th Session Of The Trans Sahara Road Liaison Committee (TRLC)

PROTOCOLS

I am pleased to welcome the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, who is represented by Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Hon. Minister of Police Affairs to the 70th Session of the Trans Sahara Road Liaison Committee. I especially thank his Excellency, on behalf of the Trans Sahara Road Liaison Committee for granting us the approval to host this Session in Nigeria.

2. I will also like to extend a special welcome to Member Country Ministers in charge of road infrastructure from Republic of Tunisia, Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria, Republic of Mali, Republic of T’chad and Republic of the Niger. The last Ministerial meeting of the TRLC was held in 2014 in Algiers, Algeria therefore I believe there is a lot of information the Secretariat and the Experts will be sharing with us over the next two days.

3. Every session of the TRLC has the objective of discussing issues relating to the route, the financing and relationship with continental organisations such as the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) who are our partners in the development of the Trans Sahara Road (TSR).

4. In this light, the TRLC member countries would like to appreciate the contributions of these organisations in no small measure towards the development of the route.

5. Before going into some of the details, I believe that Nigeria’s hosting of this event, necessitates that we provide some background information about what this is about and what it means for ordinary Nigerians:

* To start with it is useful for every African to be aware of the existence of a Trans African Highway Plan seeking to connect Africa from Cape Town to Tunisia either by driving through East Africa Border, the West African Border or through the Centre of Africa.

* There is also a Coast to Coast connectivity from West to East Africa, North East Africa to North West Africa and South West Africa to East Africa.

* A total of 9 (Nine) Highways at different stages of construction are meant to achieve this connectivity. Three of these Highways pass through the Territory of Nigeria, namely:

(a) Lagos – Dakar (through Seme in Benin Republic);
(b) Lagos – Mombasa (through Yaoundè in Cameroon); and
(c) Lagos – Algiers, which is the one supported by this Committee and this is the subject of our meeting.

* This road covers 9,022km (7,171km 80%) is asphalt while 1,851km (20%) is earth road.

* It serves 37 regions, 74 urban centres with 60 million inhabitants in 6 (six) Countries who are members of this Committee. It is important to underscore here that the critical part of the Trans Sahara Highway which in centuries past is plied by Camels and Horses for trade has now developed for use by vehicles.

* For Nigerians it is important to know that 1,131km of the 9,022km passes through our country from Lagos to Ibadan, Ilorin – Jebba, Kaduna – Kano – Kongolam where we have a border with Niger Republic.

6. The development of the Trans Sahara Route is to ensure integration, improvement of economic activities and cooperation between Member Countries. This will provide the business community access to explore and maximise the enormous economic opportunities available within member countries. There are immense possibilities from Fashion, Agriculture, Technology, Energy to Film and Music.The journey from 1960 when the Trans Sahara Route (TSR) was established till date has not been easy, but concerted efforts must be made at realising the objectives of the TSR.

7. The entire section of the 1,131km long Trans Sahara Route in Nigeria from Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin – Kaduna – Kano – Kongolam Niger Republic Border has asphalt surfacing. The current activity on the various section of the route are as follows:

* The Lagos-Ibadan road is 127km long. The Lagos-Shagamu section (43.6Km) is being developed into a 3-lane dual carriageway while the Shagamu-Ibadan section (83.4Km) is being reconstructed as a 2-lane dual carriageway.

* The Ibadan-Ilorin section of the road is a dual carriageway of 160km long out of which 105.5km has been dualised leaving only 54.2km that is in progress of being dualised. The old alignment is being maintained to ensure free flow of traffic at all times.

* The Ilorin-Jebba-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna section of the route is 458km long single lane carriageway. The Ilorin-Jebba section that is 105km long has been fully rehabilitated and is currently being dualised while the Jebba-Mokwa-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna section (353km) is also being considered for future dualisation.

* Kaduna – Kano dual carriageway which is 230km long is under reconstruction and the work is currently being executed in three sections to enable speedy completion.

* Kano – Kazaure – Kongolam Section is 133km long and is a single lane carriageway.

8. The progress of works that we are achieving on these routes in the coming weeks and months will strengthen integration, cultural cooperation and economic trade and competition in the African Continental Free Trade Area.

9. The importance of the Trans Sahara Route to the Nigeria economy is underlined by the priority Mr. President has placed on the funding, wherein, the reconstruction of the Lagos – Ibadan Section and the Kaduna – Kano Section is included under Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) to ensure that there is no funding gap associated with the execution of the works, and the recent signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Treaty.

10. While Trade and cultural integration are important, safety is also paramount and I am delighted to announce that just last Wednesday the Federal Executive Council approved that Nigeria should ratify and domesticate the African Road Safety Charter adopted at 26th ordinary session of the African Union Commission in January 2016 in Addis Ababa.

11. Once more, my gratitude goes to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for hosting of the 70th session of the TRLC in Nigeria and the support given to the development of the section of the Trans Sahara road in Nigeria, to the Member Country Ministers for the support they have given to the development of the Trans Sahara Road within their respective countries and for the support of our financial partners over the years.

12. I also congratulate Member Country Experts and the Secretary General for a job well done and to remind you that there is still a lot of work that is yet to be accomplished.

13. You are all welcome to the 70th Session of the Trans Sahara Road Liaison Committee, you are most welcome to Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, and you are especially welcome to Nigeria.

Thank you.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister
November, 2019