Tag: David Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has cleared the Lagos state federal controller of works, Olukorede Keisha, of any wrongdoing over the recent closure of the Independence Bridge, which caused widespread traffic congestion in the area.

Umahi said investigations by the federal ministry of works showed that the error in the bridge closure procedure was an honest mistake, not an act of negligence.

He disclosed that the federal controller has been directed to resume her duties immediately, emphasizing that the decision to close the bridge was made with the intention of safeguarding lives.

The minister has also challenged the public to visit the construction site of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to verify claims made by Mrs. Ifeoma, who alleged that over $215 million worth of investment on a property along the highway’s right of way was demolished. 

Umahi described the claims as fictitious, stressing that there was no structure on the property except for a gate that was removed for construction.

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He made these remarks in a press briefing on Saturday after inspecting the substructure and underwater elements of the Third Mainland Bridge, Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Independence Bridge. 

The inspection was aimed at assessing the structural integrity of these bridges and evaluating the progress of maintenance work initiated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, he said.

Umahi expressed satisfaction with the progress of underwater works on the 3rd Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge, both handled by Julius Berger Plc, as well as the Eko Bridge and Independence Bridge, handled by Buildwell Nig Ltd, during a press briefing on April 5, 2025.

Umahi commended the contractors for their efforts but raised concerns over the continued tampering of underwater piers and pile caps despite warnings. 

Citing a recent incident where a capsized ship at the Eko Bridge waterway destroyed the underwater pier and pile cap, posing a significant threat to the bridge’s structure, as well as unlawful dredging at the Third Mainland Bridge that also damaged the pile cap, the Minister appealed to the Lagos State government for the closure of the waterway between Carter and Eko Bridges.

“Let me appeal to the Governor of Lagos State to please enforce that the waterways between Carter Bridge and the Eko Bridge be closed because the dredger that hit the pile caps and the piles tumbled and they got sunk. 

“So what is safe is for that section of the waterways to be closed down. And so I’m alerting all the authorities of the Navy, the Lagos State government, they have always been very proactive. This section of the waterway needs to be closed down immediately,” he said.

The Minister also revealed that the 3rd Mainland Bridge is 50% completed and Carter Bridge is 70% completed while emphasising the importance of underwater elements to a bridge’s substructure, likening pile caps to human legs. 

He said he had directed divers to assess the damage and proposed shutting down the waterways between Carter Bridge and Eko Bridge to prevent further incidents.

The minister also inspected the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, and expressed delight at the quality and level of work achieved. 

Noting that the project, 70% funded by a low-interest loan, is expected to generate investment and tourism opportunities upon completion, Umahi urged Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope agenda on road development, citing the need for infrastructure investment despite economic challenges. 

Emphasising the importance of faith in the project’s vision and the benefits it will bring to the nation, he said, “Of course, we also have foreign investment in this, because 70% of this project is dollar-based, on loan as low as 2.5% single digit interest. 

“So, what is the problem if I can recover this money in 10 years? We’re going to have a relief station along the corridor where we will have supermarkets, small clinic, towing vans, parking lots for cars and trucks and so on and so forth. We are going to have trees all through the route and, of course, solar lights and CCTV cameras. 

“So, it’s going to be a sight to behold. I want Nigerians to be very clear that the President is replicating what you see in the Western world, and people are saying don’t do it.”

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is favoring the South over the North in the allocation of road projects.

Speaking to journalists at the State House in Abuja on Monday, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President, Umahi emphasised that project approvals are based on memos submitted for consideration, not regional preferences.

“The President is committed to completing all the inherited projects. Most of the projects we come here to announce are inherited projects, and the President is committed to continuing them,” the Minister said.

Umahi was addressing concerns raised in the Senate where a motion had suggested that more projects were being approved for the South than the North.

“Let me correct that impression because I am not qualified to write to the Senate President to do so. The fact remains that it is the memo that comes to FEC that is approved,” Umahi said. 

He explained that at times, the projects brought before FEC may favor a particular region but this does not reflect a deliberate skewing of allocations, explaining “sometimes, a memo can be in favor of a particular region or zone. Our briefing here should not be taken as if we are bringing projects in an inequitable form”.

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To illustrate his point, Umahi highlighted that at Monday’s FEC meeting, a total of N507 billion was approved for the Abuja-Kano road section, while only N24 billion was allocated to projects in his Southeast region.

“If tomorrow, a big project is approved for the South-East, nobody should start saying it is unfair,” he noted.

Umahi further pointed out that many of the projects inherited from the previous administration were not evenly distributed across regions, yet Tinubu remained committed to completing them.

“If you go back to look at the inherited projects, they were not even equitably distributed by the last administration. But the President did not mind—he is continuing all of them”, he said.

The minister reaffirmed that Tinubu’s administration is focused on national development rather than regional politics, ensuring that infrastructure projects are executed based on necessity and existing commitments rather than political or ethnic considerations.

 The FEC approved road infrastructure projects worth N733 billion across different regions of the country, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s road network.

Among the major projects approved is Section Two of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, covering 164 kilometers, at a cost of N507 billion. The contract was awarded to InfoWest Nigeria Limited, the same company handling sections one and three of the project.

Another significant project is the construction of the Abakpa Flyover in Enugu State, which borders the 82 Division Army Barracks. The N24 billion project was awarded to CCECC to ease traffic congestion in the area.

“You have another one approved for the completion of the outstanding section of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road. This time, it is Section Two, which is 82 kilometers on both sides, making 164 kilometers in total, and it is awarded for N507 billion”, he said.

He further explained the significance of the Abakpa Flyover, saying, “A flyover is to be constructed to relieve traffic congestion there, and the contractor is CCECC, with the amount set at N24 billion.”

The FEC also approved N55 billion for the dualization of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road, which connects Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. 

The contract was awarded to Decon Construction Nigeria Limited.

Umahi noted that the project was inherited from the previous administration and had been divided into three sections, handled by different contractors. 

However, a disagreement with Julius Berger over cost escalation led to the termination and re-procurement of its section.

“When we came on board, there was a need to review all the projects. While the other two contractors—CCECC and Samatech—accepted the review, Julius Berger insisted on an increase to over N100 billion, which led to the termination and re-procurement of the contract,” Umahi explained.

He added that the project was competitively awarded for N55 billion, significantly lower than the N190 billion demanded by Julius Berger.

Another major approval was for the dualization of the Ibadan-Ilorin Road Section Two, located in Oyo State. The contract, worth N147 billion, was awarded to GRVe.

Umahi highlighted that the project would utilize reinforced concrete pavement for enhanced durability, aligning with the Tinubu administration’s push for long-lasting road infrastructure.

The David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences Uburu, Ebonyi state Management has warned the 2024/25 Matriculating students to shun all acts of indiscipline.

This is as the University hailed the President Bola Tinubu administration for the support it has been giving to the institution which has enabled it to record so many achievements within the short period of its existence.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the warning during the matriculation of 990 freshers at the institution on Saturday.

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He warned that the management will not hesitate to expel any students who flout the rules and regulations of the institution.

“This university maintains very strict discipline, the university rules and regulations are unforgiving when they are violated,” he warned.

Works Minister David Umahi has said the first 30 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway will be ready and inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May.

The minister announced this while addressing stakeholders yesterday in Lagos on the state of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

He said despite initial setbacks, the project has recorded significant progress.

Umahi said the challenges the project faced included the rerouting of Section One to avoid mass demolitions along the original gazetted corridor.

The minister noted that although many structures were built illegally on the designated path, the government opted for a more humane approach by navigating around them.

According to him, unforeseen complications arose during construction, particularly along a 10-kilometre stretch where years of refuse dumping had compromised the soil integrity.

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“We had the responsibility of excavating up to 10 meters and they were sand-filled back to existing ground level, and, of course, take it up to the design level. That needed settlement. Wwe came together with the contractor and agreed that there should be no immediate work there,” Umahi said.

“But today I’m happy we went through again. We conducted tests. Settlement is being achieved 100 per cent and we are on the move.

“What we could do by May is that we have agreed with the contractor and is going to affirm it magically, to have the first 20 kilometres seamlessly from Chennai Zero down to Chennai 20 ready for Mr. President to inaugurate in May, and another 10 kilometres from Eleko junction coming towards Chennai 37 ready for inauguration. That is 30 kilometres in Section One. Then, we will be left with about 17 kilometres.

“But the good news is that all sand-filling is being done up to Eleko junction.”

Addressing concerns over property demolitions, the minister said only one building remained on the path of construction and that negotiations with the owner had been concluded.

“What I directed is to let work continue and stop at his fence. Then, work will also continue at the other side of his fence. So, his house is standing at the middle of the road. We have discussed, and I believe strongly that we understood each other,” he said.

Commenting on what the government was doing about Section Two, Umahi highlighted the integration of the Lekki Free Zone into the project.

The minister explained that the highway would pass in front of the Dangote Refinery, necessitating the construction of an 80-metre span bridge to facilitate seamless truck movement.

He also announced that construction contracts for Section Three, totalling 65 kilometres, had been awarded and would be flagged off in the coming weeks.

Works Minister David Umahi has ordered the removal of speed bumps on the country’s highways to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on major roads.

Umahi made this known at a two-day Retreat for Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff in Abuja yesterday.

The retreat with the theme “Ensuring Delivery of Mr President’s Agenda on Road Infrastructural Development,” was organised by the ministry.

The minister said the order to dismantle the speed bumps was necessary because some were haphazardly done causing accidents and elongating travel time.

“I came through one of the federal routes and for a journey that is supposed to last like one hour within that stretch, it lasted like three hours because every 20 metres you will see a bump.

“Although there is nothing wrong with speed bumps in certain designated locations, there is an approved technical design for bumps.

“There are also allowable locations for bumps, and that is what we want to do. So the National Assembly has directed that these speed bumps should be dismantled.”

Umahi said the ministry had noticed some speed bumps were a menace and causing multiple accidents and deaths.

“Some speed bumps are high, touching the bottom plates of vehicles; that is not desirable. It defeats the aim.

“So, this is what we are saying, and that is what the National Assembly is saying. The ministry as well as motorists wants them to dismantle it.”

Umahi said subsequently, for any speed bump to be constructed, applications would be made to controllers for the locations through the Permanent Secretary and to the minister for approval after meeting technical compliance.

He added that there must also be a safe side distance of not less than 100 metres and warning for motorists to beware.

Speaking on infrastructure development, Umahi said President Bola Tinubu’s massive infrastructure development was aimed at providing the much needed impetus to stimulate the economy and improve the lives of the citizenry.

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He therefore, said the retreat was aimed at educating participants to properly understand the president’s renewed hope agenda with specific reference to road infrastructure development among others.

The Minister of State for Works, Mr Bello Goronyo, commended the President’s infrastructure development agenda, saying that it was putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

“Let me urge you to use the knowledge that you will acquire today in ensuring that you come up to speed with the modern technologies and innovation so that our country will be better in terms of road infrastructure.

“Without the road infrastructure, there cannot be economic growth, and there cannot be prosperity,” he said.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Olufunso Adebiyi, said the Federal Road Safety Corps’ record revealed that accidents  were traceable to reckless driving, drunk driving, disregard for road instructions and unauthorised crossing of the road among others.

“It may surprise you that the percentage of accidents caused by bad roads were less than 10 per cent.

“The bad roads are traceable to inefficiency on the part of the engineers, poor supervision of our road works among others.”

Adebiyi urged the engineers to step up and curb some of the irregularities, noting that the ministry was committed to building their capacity to deliver on the administration’s agenda.

The Chairmen, Senate and House Committees on Works reiterated their commitment to supporting the ministry to deliver on its mandate.

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stated that the nation, Nigeria, deserves nothing less than the commitment of love for our country and devotion to the tenets of peace and progress from all citizens.

Umahi expressed this in a Christmas message to Nigerians on Wednesday.

He maintained that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu has made record-breaking strides in improving public service delivery and refining the governance framework that will stimulate economic growth and national development.

He noted that a private sector window is being created and that the enabling infrastructure is taking shape. 

He said: “Our road infrastructure delivery is being enhanced nationwide to support the growth of our economy. All we need is a reciprocation of faith, hope, solidarity, loyalty, and love for our nation. 

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“On this momentous occasion of the Christmas Day celebration, I am heartily and profoundly delighted to felicitate and share with Nigerians the great joy that the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ heralds and the hope of everlasting salvation it brings to mankind. 

Senator Umahi remarked that the Christian festival of Christmas offers the people a memorable opportunity to reflect on the need to renew their attitude of gratitude to God our Maker through our unflinching love for one another, boundless generosity to our neighbours, and selfless service to humanity, which are divine values required to make the world a better place. 

“In a moment like this, we are expected to reflect on our personal devotions to the cause of the nation and the gains of fostering stronger bonds and positive memories in our interpersonal relationships. 

“As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and its significance to our nationhood, I particularly send my warm greetings to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and I commend him highly for his profound leadership that is making the desired difference in our development trajectory. 

“Let me publicly recognise the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works who have been exceptionally wonderful in driving the Renewed Hope agenda in the works sector. Together, a nation of peace and prosperity shall be achieved,” he said.

• Work to begin on Ayetoro sea incursion, says minister

Works Minister David Umahi has engaged Ondo State stakeholders on the alignment of the state’s 63-kilometre segment of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Umahi, who met with the stakeholders in Akure, the state capital, said work on the Ayetoro sea incursion would begin after the November 16 governorship election.

The minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the coastal highway was beyond constructing a road but making an enduring investment for the benefit of this and future generations.

He said the current administration inherited 2,604 road projects estimated at N13 trillion.

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Umahi explained that the design for the Ondo section of the highway would be concluded this month.

He said: “One of the things we saw when we came on board was that President Tinubu inherited 2,604 projects and contractors were being owed N1.6 trillion for jobs already done.

“Some of these projects are 20 years, five years, 13 years, and 17 years old. He believes that these projects should be fixed in 14 months.

“We are committed to turning our stone to bread. There is no complaint. We are not distracted. I take responsibility for every failure; for any road that is bad, any road that is ongoing and not being constructed. But rest assured that we are not sleeping

“We have terminated over 10 contracts of big companies and we have the mind to terminate more. You can’t dictate for us. We will tell you what we want.

“We will conclude the design (for Ondo State) within November and we will inaugurate it.

“We have directed that all federal road controllers should give us details of roads within their domains – whether awarded or not – so that by this Christmas, all federal highways will be motorable.”

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the Lagos-Calabar project was not for political reason.

“This project will be of huge benefit to us, that is why we are going to corporate with the Federal Government and the contractors,” he said.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, said Nigerians should shun the practice of contractors collecting money and not working.

“If contractor are not in site, don’t pay them, that’s one of the biggest scam in the ministry,” he said.

A representative of the coastal communities, Mr. Banji Okunomo, urged the government to deliver the project on schedule, assuring all stakeholders that the residents would provide the enabling environment for the project to be completed on time.