The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dave Umahi

  • Abandoned Idi-Aba-Abeokuta-Obafemi-Ajebo link road

    Abandoned Idi-Aba-Abeokuta-Obafemi-Ajebo link road

    • By Gbenga Adeoye

    Sir: We bring warm greetings to the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen Dave Umahi and his entire team on the various Renewed Hope Projects going on across the country. One of these great projects is the Lagos-Calabar-Coastal Highway which also passed through Ijebu Water Side in Ogun State as well as the award of Badagry Sokoto Road which passes through Soyoye Rounder area in Abeokuta.

    The night repairs of Sango-Abeokuta Road is also worthy of note and commendable.

    While we have a duty to commend the government when we see performance, we, the Egba people, also have a collective duty imposed on us to call the attention of government to any project(s) that is of economic importance especially where execution of such project (s) is slow, stagnant and sometimes, not even conceived.

    In view of the above, we hereby call your attention to the slow pace of work on Idi-Aba-Abeokuta-Obafemi-Ajebo link road to Lagos-Ibadan which passed through the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta all the way through OGTV, the state government owned television station and others

    We also request that you ensure the designed standard is not lowered after the segment that passed through Abeokuta City, especially in areas that passed through villages as contractors have a way of dropping standards after leaving the main city, thereby reducing durability in some parts of the road.

    In addition to the above request; we are deeply worried over the project for the following reasons:

    The project has dragged for too long having been awarded during the administration of President Buhari. The segment in the town from Federal Medical Centre up to Chrisland University appears good but shortly after, it has become difficult for people to drive through.

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    The newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences (FUMMSA) has its 170 hectares permanent site on the same road at Ajibayo Village and there is no way they can move from their current temporary site to that location if that road construction remains abandoned, stagnant, or slow.

    The road is an alternative road to the old Ibadan Abeokuta road via Apata, Bakatari, Ilugun and Odeda to Adatan in Abeokuta and that also need attention. The road passed through the state-owned television station, OGTV.

    The road is capable of transforming the economic landscape of Obafe-Ajebo area in that, the diversion of the road at Owojo to pass through Oyebola to Alapako- Oni will create an industrial hub around Ajebo town and villages like, Erunwon, Abiona Mosafejo and Olosun among others.

    The road is useful in decongesting regular traffic and gridlocks at Ogere axis of Lagos Ibadan expressway as motorists going to Abeokuta from Ibadan and vice versa will not need to drive through Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange.

    Excavation done on the road has now made life very difficult for motorists, whereas it was a smooth drive through as well as a short-cut to Ibadan when it was constructed by the administration of Chief Olusegun Osoba during his tenure as the governor of Ogun State.

    In view of the above, we plead that urgent action be taken to ensure speedy completion of the road as it will have direct positive impact on the economy of Egbaland, Ogun state and Nigeria as a whole.

    While wishing you all the best in the new year, we pray that funds will be available to your ministry to get this project and other ongoing projects completed soonest.

    •Dr. Gbenga Adeoye,

    Egba Economic Summit Group,

    Abeokuta, Ogun State.

  • Fed govt flags off Keffi flyover reconstruction, approves projects nationwide

    Fed govt flags off Keffi flyover reconstruction, approves projects nationwide

    The Federal Government has commenced reconstruction of the collapsed Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State as part of a wider infrastructure renewal programme that received major approvals at Thursday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja.

    Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who briefed journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the meeting, described the July 4 collapse of the Keffi Flyover as “very unfortunate,” revealing that three lives were lost in the incident and the government had since reached a settlement with the bereaved families.

    “We lost three lives there. We have settled with the families, who are not pressing charges. Reconstruction has started,” Umahi said, noting that one carriageway of the bridge has been closed to facilitate urgent repairs following structural investigations.

    The Keffi Flyover serves as a key transit route between the Federal Capital Territory and several North-Central states. Its collapse sparked widespread public concern over infrastructure safety.

    Umahi assured that the Tinubu administration remains committed to accountability and proactive maintenance, and called for public support in ongoing inspections and engineering audits.

    The Minister further disclosed that the Council approved several high-value road projects and contract variations nationwide, with the government targeting completion timelines and strategic economic impacts.

    He said 360 road rehabilitation projects were completed in 2023, while inspection and compliance tracking are underway across all geopolitical zones.

    To strengthen transparency and accountability, Umahi announced that state engineering chambers will now participate in monitoring federal infrastructure projects.

    He listed key ongoing projects with significant financial commitments, including Abuja Road Lot 1 (118 km at ₦275 billion with 30 percent completed), Abuja Road Lot 2 (164 km at ₦502 billion with ₦150 billion disbursed), Enugu–Onitsha Road (72 km at ₦150 billion with ₦45 billion released), Abuja–Kano Road (₦220 billion with 30 percent disbursed), Bauchi–Jigawa sections (fully funded), Nembe–Brass Road (₦156 billion with 30 percent released), and the Port Harcourt–Bodo–Bonny Road (35 km at ₦200 billion and near completion).

    Other projects include Benin–Ifon–Akure Road (108.4 km with 30 percent released) and Akure–Ado-Ekiti Road (256 km at ₦761 billion with 30 percent released).

    The Council also approved revisions and fresh disbursements for several other major roads.

    These include the Biu–Numa Road in Borno and Adamawa States, revised from ₦15.4 billion to ₦61.76 billion; Maraba–Keffi Road in Nasarawa, a 43.6 km dualization project at ₦76 billion; and the Ikorodu–Sagamu Road in Lagos where a variation of ₦11.42 billion was approved for project completion.

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    Also listed were the Kashamu–Amshi–Guru–Gurus Road in Yobe State, revised to ₦23.4 billion for binder layers and a new vehicle bridge; the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, with the Kebbi section covering 258 km by two lanes at ₦1.92 trillion, and the Sokoto section spanning 120 km by two lanes at ₦912 billion.

    In Ekiti, the Afe Babalola University Access Road was revised to 14.4 km at ₦9.32 billion.

    The Trans-Saharan Highway from Oyo to the Benue border was extended from 180 km to 231.64 km, increasing the cost to ₦445.8 billion due to soil failures and realignment.

    For the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, sections 4A and 4B across Ogun and Ondo States will now cover 80.35 km by two lanes at a total cost of ₦1.65 trillion with a 6-meter excavation depth due to swamp terrain.

    Umahi emphasised that these projects are not just physical assets but strategic economic enablers aimed at boosting productivity, state GDPs, regional trade, and national cohesion.

    He defended the scope and cost of the contracts, stating that all geopolitical zones have been treated equitably and that the administration welcomes public scrutiny.

    Also at the FEC meeting, the Council approved the implementation of a new National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP), designed to regulate workplace relations and reduce the frequency of labour disputes in the country.

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who also briefed reporters, said the policy is aimed at fostering harmonious relations among employers, employees, and trade unions.

    He noted that the NIRP provides a comprehensive framework to align Nigeria’s industrial practices with international standards, particularly those of the International Labour Organization.

    “The policy will ensure seamless workflow, promote social dialogue, and enhance tripartite cooperation among government, employers, and workers,” Idris said.

    He explained that the approval of the NIRP was informed by the need to address recurring industrial actions over the years, caused largely by the absence of a unified policy governing the country’s labour space.

    The new document, he said, establishes industrial relations as a national priority requiring constant attention, institutional coordination, and proactive engagement.

    With the rollout of major infrastructure projects and the adoption of the NIRP, the Tinubu administration says it is focused on rebuilding both the physical and institutional frameworks required to sustain national development under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • FULL LIST: FG plans to spend N679b on 13 road projects

    FULL LIST: FG plans to spend N679b on 13 road projects

    As part of its ongoing commitment to infrastructure development, the Federal Government on Wednesday announced an ambitious plan to spend N679 billion for the rehabilitation of existing roads and new construction projects across several states.

    The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    This significant investment is intended to improve the nation’s road network, reduce travel times, and boost economic activities by enhancing connectivity between key regions.

    The approved road projects span various states in both northern and southern regions of the country.

    Here are the locations of these roads:

    1. Aakalari-Ukuk Road in Bauchi State

    The Federal Government will allocate N11.278 billion for this road project, which will be completed in phases. The first phase is expected to take six months.

    2. Uturu-Isikwuato-Akara Road in Abia State 

    A budget of N5.926 billion has been approved for this project, with the first phase set to be completed within six months.

    3. Zaria-Ukui-Kolomani-Dan Bali-Maraba-Kanya-Subawa-Kasa Road 

    This road spans across Kaduna and Katsina states. The project, worth N198 billion, has been awarded to MotherCat Nigeria Limited and is scheduled for completion in three years.

    4. Kano-Maiduguri Road 

    Originally contracted to Dantata Sawo, this project has been reassigned to Tractor Nigeria Limited. With a budget of N128.395 billion, it is expected to be completed within 18 months.

    Read Also: FEC approves N679b for 13 road projects

    5. Bagudu Road in Kebbi State 

    The contract for this 57-kilometer road has been approved at a cost of N2.645 billion.

    6. Oba-Nnewi-Arondizogu-Okigwe Road 

    Running through Imo and Anambra states, the first phase of this project will involve a six-month rescoping, with an approved cost of N8.45 billion.

    7. Iyin-Ilawe-Ekiti Road Project 

    Originally approved at N13.736 billion, an additional N15.626 billion was later allocated following Umahi’s request for further FEC approval.

    8. Ilogu Road 

    Stretching between Kwara and Osun states, the first phase of this road, valued at N7.556 billion, is expected to take six months.

    9. Wukari-Akwana Road in Taraba 

    The project is valued at N12.615 billion, with construction scheduled for completion within one year.

    10. Bida-Lapaya-Lambda Road in Niger 

    The first phase of this road project is estimated at N39.493 billion and is expected to last six months.

    11. Gada-Zamazuru-Gamji Road 

    This project has been allocated N11.976 billion, with a completion timeline of six months.

    12. Kamakish Road in Oyo 

    A sum of N12.35 billion has been approved for this project, with an expected completion period of one year.

    13. Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Road Dualisation 

    This dualisation project will be carried out in phases. CGC Nigeria Limited has been awarded the contract at a cost of N30 billion.

  • Fed Govt withdraws 98km Oyo-Ogbomoso road project from RCC

    Fed Govt withdraws 98km Oyo-Ogbomoso road project from RCC

    • Terminated contract to be rewarded soon, says Umahi
    • Fed Govt to rebuild Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta expressway with concrete

    The Federal Government has said the delay in the completion of the 98-kilometre Oyo-Ogbomoso road project awarded to Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) necessitated the termination of the contract.

    Works Minister Dave Umahi announced this yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a stakeholders’ meeting on the condition of federal roads in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the engagement was premised on Enhancing Federal Roads in Oyo State: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions.

    Umahi noted that the prolonged delay in completing the project had caused hardship among commuters and slowed economic activities in the area.

    The minister assured the people that the project would soon be re-awarded to a new contractor.

    He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to delivering the Oyo-Ogbomoso road project in the shortest possible time.

    “The Oyo-Ogbomoso road project has dragged on for too long. So, we cannot continue to watch as businesses and means of livelihoods suffer due to its non-completion.

    “In view of this, the Federal Government will take a decisive action to ensure the project is completed without further delay,” Umahi said.

    Stakeholders at the meeting, which was facilitated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Akin Alabi, frowned at RCC for not completing the road project on time.

    They urged the Federal government to accelerate the completion of the project without further delay.

    They also urged the government to fast-track the rehabilitation of Ibadan-Ilesa dual carriage way and other federal roads in Oyo State and the Southwest region.

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    Also, the Federal Government has announced plans to rehabilitate an 18-kilometre section of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta expressway with reinforced concrete pavement.

    Umahi announced this yesterday while assessing the condition of the road and the progress so far made in its rehabilitation.

    The minister said the government was committed to completing the project.

    He said the 78-kilometre expressway, initially awarded to Julius Berger Plc eight years ago, had faced numerous challenges.

    According to him, while Julius Berger completed one carriageway, the project remained unfinished.

    Umahi said: “We are here to look at the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway. The total kilometer is 78. It was awarded to Julius Berger about eight years ago. Berger has completed one carriageway fully. The Ogun State government has taken off the section that is within Ogun State. That is about 60 kilometres. So, we are left with 18 kilometres.

    “What we intend to do is to award this 18 kilometres on reinforced concrete pavements and then wait for the Ogun State government to finish its own.

    “Then we take both over and then do it, operate and maintain it through a concession agreement.”

  • What to do before removing road bumps

    What to do before removing road bumps

    Sir: The Honourable Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, recently gave an order for the removal of speed-breakers or road bumps on the highways.

    Research has revealed that most of the bumps were put in those places because of the excessive speed of drivers which has led to the loss of many lives. Ironically, the speed bumps have also caused damages to vehicles and loss of lives due to the ignorance of the drivers to the presence of those bumps.

    There must be traffic signs to indicate the presence of speed bumps so that drivers can safely slow down before getting to them. The speed bumps on Obajana – Kabba road has no single traffic sign to alert drivers of the bumps ahead. The only sign is the concrete block placed on the side of each bump, not a warning sign before the bump. The concrete blocks on the bumps are not painted nor marked to make them visible from afar before getting there.

    The bumps were not marked with paint for easy identification from afar. The absence of these signs and markings have led to many accidents, loss of lives and valuable properties on the Obajana – Kabba road and nothing has been done to correct these lapses. Towards the Kabba end of the road, the bump at the slope near a police checkpoint was wrongly positioned. Bumps must not be located on a slope. This has caused many accidents and loss of lives. On one incident at this very point, the driver lost control of the bus, somersaulted and caught fire with no passenger saved. Yet, the bump has not been removed from there till now. This is the situation in many parts of Nigeria as at today.

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    Bumps started springing up because of the failure of the government to ensure the relevant traffic signs and road markings, particularly speed limit signs are installed at appropriate locations, quality driver education in Driving Schools, arrest and prosecution of violators of the speed limits. It is also a big surprise that the government agencies at the federal and state levels do not understand the relevance of derestriction signs. Every speed limit sign must be followed by a Derestriction Sign. This has never been done anywhere in Nigeria. The relevant government agencies must always monitor the roads and road infrastructure to know and correct the lapses before they start causing loss of lives and properties.

    The bumps near schools, markets, bus stops, hospitals, busy shopping malls should not be removed even after installing the relevant traffic signs and road markings in such areas. The relevant government MDAs should also specify through Executive Order or memo, what distance must be between one speed bump and the other. It must also be specified, the type of bumps that can be installed on the roads. The way some bumps were constructed has caused a lot of damage to vehicles and vehicle occupants.

    With the evolution of technology, there is a need to complement the traffic signs and road markings with functional CCTV cameras to ease arrest and prosecution of violators of the traffic signs and road markings.

    The order given by the minister on bumps’ removal is good and necessary because of the excesses of the people installing the speed bumps; but the points listed above should be taken into consideration so as to avoid causing more problems than those the minister wants solved.

    •Jide Owatunmise, Lagos.

  • FG requires N18trn to fix roads, says Minister

    FG requires N18trn to fix roads, says Minister

    Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said yesterday that the country needed N18trillion to tackle its roads infrastructure which the annual provisions in the National Assembly Appropriation Bills would not be able to address.

    Umahi disclosed this while speaking with journalists after he appeared before the Senate Committee on Works to defend his ministry’s 2025 budget proposals.

    “Remember the President inherited 2,064 projects, totaling N13trillion in 2023. If you review that project in line with the market realities now, it should be close to N18trillion.

    “So, when the President, who is an economist, who has gone through all the segments of what we are passing through, by reason of his experiences, and is making efforts to borrow money to do these projects, then the public will be challenging his actions.

    “That’s what I have been telling the National Assembly, and we are on the same page now. We have to borrow money to fix the roads.

    “The roads, when fixed, are catalysts to economic growth. It also eliminates hunger. This is because road infrastructure activities create a lot of economic activities.

    “Those who are selling sand, chippings, ‘mamaput’, rocks, and so on and so forth. There will be a lot of activities. So we need to give attention and encourage Mr. President to borrow money.

    “He (President Bola Ahmed Tinubu) cannot manufacture money. He has to be encouraged.

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    “You say he’s trying to steal your money. That’s very discouraging. So road infrastructure cannot be fixed by mere yearly budgetary allocation. It has to be given plenty of attention,” Umahi said.

    Earlier, the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, noted that Nigeria requires enormous funds to effectively address its roads infrastructure.

    “We can see that these projects are very enormous and we have to see how we can engage in other ways to get money to see how projects can be delivered to our people.

    “Sometimes when people look at the National Assembly asking for projects in their homes it is not because the National Assembly just wanted to do that project in their house,” Mpigi said.

  • Fed Govt threatens to terminate road contracts in Southeast, Southsouth

    Fed Govt threatens to terminate road contracts in Southeast, Southsouth

    The Federal Government yesterday restated its resolve to terminate contracts for road projects not delivered on scheduled dates.

    The warning followed an observation by Works Minister Dave Umahi of slow work pace on major projects in the Southsouth and Southeast by contractors.

    Some of the projects inspected by the minister are Section III (Umuahia-Aba) of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway being handled by  Arab Contractors Nig. Ltd., alignment of Section IV of the Aba-Port Harcourt  Highway by CCECC and Bodo-Bonny Road by JBN.

    Section III (Eleme Junction-Onne Junction) of the East-West Road by RCC, the multiple box culverts on the East-West Road by Rock Result Nig. Ltd, and Section II-II (Ahoada-Kaiama) by Setraco Nig. Ltd. were also inspected by Umahi.    

    The minister used the opportunity of the projects’ inspection to address concerns about the government’s abandonment of four legacy roads. He clarified that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had resolved to inaugurate some road projects between next month and May.

    Umahi, according to the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Works,  Mohammed Ahmed, directed    Federal Controllers of Works to submit lists of completed roads for inauguration.

    At  Section IV  of the Aba-Port Harcourt Highway,   Umahi expressed displeasure with CCECC over the slow pace of work.

    He instructed the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State to issue a warning to the contractor, saying that the contract would be terminated if no improvements in the tempo of work were noticed.

    Umahi also expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of work on the Bodo-Bonny Road and told the contractor to deploy more personnel, materials, and equipment to meet the delivery period.

    The project is a vital part of the South-South zone’s infrastructure development, featuring a two-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 metres, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island. 

    At Section III of the  East-West Road,   the minister reminded the contractor of the April 2025 delivery date.

    He advised   RCC to allocate more resources to accelerate the pace of work or risk re-scoping and re-award the contract.  

    Inspecting the multiple box culverts on the same road, Umahi criticised the slow progress of work.

    Although the minister commended the contractor for the high standard of the job so far, he warned that failure to meet the end of the January delivery period would result in revocation. 

    Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on Section II-II of Ahoada-Kaiama Road and enjoined the contractor to expedite work by deploying additional resources. 

    He emphasised the April 2025 delivery date as non-negotiable and instructed the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) for the 2.3-kilometre  flood-affected area where box culverts are being constructed. 

    At Section III    of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, where the inspection began,   the minister advised the contractor to speed up the construction.  

    According to the statement by Ahmed, Umahi vowed that the ministry would continue to closely monitor all ongoing projects to ensure that they aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for accelerated national growth and development.

    The statement reads partly:  “The ministry will not tolerate delays.

     “Any contractor who does not meet his contractual obligations will face consequences, cumulating into a 14-day notice of termination of contract.

    “Despite the challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to the completion of inherited projects as well as the four legacy projects he initiated.

    “The president has not abandoned these projects. It is the contractors, who have delayed the work. This year, we will be stricter in ensuring that projects are completed on course.

      “The expectation is that every Controller delivers on his mandates, according to specifications and time allotted. There is no room for further delays.”

    While calling for improved teamwork from all stakeholders in the management and delivery of road and bridge projects, Umahi said: “We all need to work together – government, contractors, and the general public towards ensuring that deadlines are met.

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     “No contractor should collect government funds and fail to deliver on their promises. Henceforth, we will be more observant and take necessary actions towards ensuring the successful completion of these projects.”

    PETROAN flays work  pace on East-West Road  

      The Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN)  has frowned at the slow pace of work on the  Eleme section of the East-West Road.

    It accused the contractor of ‘’sabotaging President Tinubu’s efforts to ensure the smooth distribution of

    petroleum products from the newly commissioned Port Harcourt refinery.’’

    PETROAN,  said in  a statement by National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joseph Obele  that  it could not understand why the contractor has not delivered the section of the road  after ‘’receiving N33 billion from the Federal Ministry of Works.”

     Lamenting that the delay in completing the project had negatively impacted on about 60 retail outlets, the association requested adequate compensation for owners of the stations.

    The statement reads in part: “The Eleme East-West Road is a critical route for the transportation of petroleum products, and its safety is paramount.”

    “The road’s deplorable condition poses a significant risk to trucks carrying petroleum products, which could lead to catastrophic accidents and environmental disasters.

    “PETROAN is calling on President Tinubu to evaluate the ongoing contract by RCC in line with the contract timeline. This move would consolidate his renewed hope agenda by ensuring the timely completion of the Eleme East-West Road project.

    “Furthermore, PETROAN is calling on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to fast-track the contract evaluation process and take decisive action to address the slow pace of work by RCC.”

  • Federal lawmaker backs Umahi’s bold decisions on Niger State Federal roads

    Federal lawmaker backs Umahi’s bold decisions on Niger State Federal roads

    A Federal lawmaker, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, has expressed strong support for the decisive actions taken by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to address the challenges hindering Federal road projects in Niger State.

    The endorsement came following a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Minister to assess the status of 10 ongoing road projects in the State.

    Senator Musa, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, led members of the National Assembly from Niger State to the meeting, where he commended the proactive measures adopted by the Minister to tackle issues such as non-performing contractors and compromised contract management.

    The lawmaker representing Niger East Senatorial District, while highlighting the Minister’s bold stance in the execution of the mandates of the Renewed Hope administration, also urged State governments to emulate their Niger State counterpart, Governor Umar Bago’s proactive collaboration with the Federal government to bring good governance to the people.

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    Impressed by the Minister’s proactive and decisive steps in addressing all the issues raised at the meeting, Musa cited the invocation of the relevant sections of the Law to revoke some of the non-performing contracts while reprimanding other erring contractors and staff of the Ministry that compromised the management of the road contract processes.

    He said: “It is quite amazing that he was ready to wield the big stick to deal with anyone trying to sabotage the Renewed Hope Agenda in the Federal Ministry of the Works, warning that “anyone found wanting will face the consequences and report to EFCC where necessary”.

    “I believe that is the hallmark of commitment and dedication to duty, which marks Engineer David Umahi as a round peg in a round hole.

    “I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him as the Honourable of Works.

    “The good people of Niger State are delighted to note that the Minister has directed the revocation, redesigning and re-awarding of the Dualization of Suleja-Lambatta-Minna (Phase 1 & 2) and has given marching order to the contractor handling the reconstruction of Bida-Lapai-Lambatta road to return to site and to start work from the Bida-Lapai axis as requested by Governor Bago as he also assured that he would source for more funds for the Rehabilitation of Mokwa-Makera-Tegina road project in 2025 budget”.

    Commending Umahi’s leadership, the Senator applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foresight and determination to succeed in appointing Umahi, describing him as the perfect fit to spearhead Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal.

    “The Minister’s readiness to wield the big stick against saboteurs reflects his commitment to delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

    He also lauded Governor Bago’s proactive stance and urged other governors to emulate his engagement with federal contractors to ensure accountability.

    “I had the privilege of leading members of the National Assembly from Niger State as part of the team of the Farmer Governor of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago and I was highly impressed with the presentation made by the Farmer Governor who recounted the status of each of the road projects across the State by their names, where he called on the Minister to revoke the contract of Minna-Suleja Road project that was first awarded in 2010.

    “I must equally commend the profound sense of responsibility and commitment of the workaholic Farmer Governor of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Umar Bago who would not fold his arms while federal road projects in the State continued to suffer neglect and substandard work at the detriment of the people of Niger State.

    “I call on all Governors to emulate Governor Bago by engaging with federal contractors in their States to get value for money and support Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a better Nigeria”.

  • Umahi to contractors: govt jobs no longer business as usual

    Umahi to contractors: govt jobs no longer business as usual

    • Commends Bago for intervention on federal roads

    Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has warned contractors handling federal government projects across the country to keep to project specifications or have their contracts terminated.

    The minister who spoke at an interactive session between the ministry, the Niger State Government and contractors in Abuja, warned that government contracts are no longer business as usual.

    He also called for improved synergy between federal legislators and the ministry to ensure adequate funds for execution of projects.

    Umahi commended the Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for carrying out intervention works on several federal roads across the state.

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    He described the effort of the governor as unprecedented, noting that he has also shown exemplary leadership by leading the state’s delegation to such a meeting.

    The minister, who called on other governors to emulate the farmer governor, stressed that he will ensure effective and consistent projects supervision.

    Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, described Governor Bago as a hardworking and passionate leader, pointing out that his people-oriented programmes are testaments to his uncommon commitment to the overall wellbeing of his people.

    In his remarks, Governor Bago said the state government was intervening in 18 federal road projects across the state to compliment the effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to achieve the renewed hope agenda.

    He suggested that such peer reviews should be done quarterly, calling on his colleagues to be part of it as it would encourage the Federal Government to do more for the people.

    He applauded the Umahi for demonstrating courage, capacity and competence in discharging his duties.

    The Niger State delegation to the meeting comprised the Senator representing Niger East, Mohammed Sani Musa; the Senator representing Niger South, Peter Jiya; the member representing Rijau/Magama Federal Constituency, Shehu Sale; the member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Saidu Musa Abdullahi and his counterpart representing Borgu/Agwara, Mohammed Jafaru.

  • Nigeria needs N341b to fix bridges, says minister

    Nigeria needs N341b to fix bridges, says minister

    The Federal Government needs N341billion to fix bridges next year, Works Minister Dave Umahi said at the weekend stated this during the inspection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road in Lagos at the weekend.

    The minister said Julius Berger Construction Company had discovered what he called carbonization of the infrastructure, a development he described as damaging to the bridges

    “They have not even told us what is happening in terms of the roads on the piles that have been exposed and so I want us to know that this is very dangerous,” Umahi stated.

    He however appealed to the National Assembly to give urgent attention to the issue pledging the willingness of the ministry to participate should it be called for a conference on the bridges.

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    “I would like the National Assembly to please give us the backing, not just the money, but, let people understand that we have problems. We don’t know how much this is going to cost. If we are to rebuild this Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge, even N30 trillion would not do it,” the minister stated.

    Umahi said Julius Berger was doing a very beautiful work until they encountered this situation, necessitating conversation.

    “We are also contacting internationally to see what the solution will be. But it’s important that the National Assembly do address their minds that we have problems but they are no problems that cannot be surmounted.

    “But they are not problems that should be overlooked, motions will be very important to alert the National Assembly on the dangers; not just these two bridges.

    “When we discussed with the Buildwell, we see what is going on in the Eko Bridge and Marina Bridge. We will be able to see it here. And when we get to the sea, we are going to see a lot of this.

    “And now we like to get the proper information that we have. We have detailed information that a company did the evaluation of the entire problems.

    “Let me say that in 2013, a company was brought in to understudy what was happening within this, below the water, and they found a very terrible situation.

    And that is what we have asked Berger, part of their contract sticks about 500 million to understudy what is happening. Again, they will also try to procure another independent consultant.

    “So that we compare what we did in 2013, 2019, and what Berger is going to find out, and what we independently will find out. This is very important,” Umahi said.