THE Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered federal road contractors to immediately return to their project sites, warning against the closure of critical highways and bridges during the holiday period and beyond.
The directive was issued yesterday during an emergency meeting with directors and contractors of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.
Umahi accused some contractors of abandoning project sites under the pretext of the festive season, despite deteriorating road conditions across the country.
He stressed that strategic routes must remain open at all times, directing ministry directors and Federal Controllers of Works nationwide to suspend their holiday plans and stay on-site to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow throughout the yuletide.
According to him, major projects such as the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, Abuja drainage canals, and key road corridors in Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states are too important to be shut down under any circumstances.
“No contractor has the authority to close a site without approval from the Ministry of Works. Some roads must not be closed at all. Abuja–Lokoja cannot be shut. These corridors are extremely critical, and contractors must ensure roads remain open for vehicular movement,” Umahi said.
The minister acknowledged that recent disruptions on the Abuja–Lokoja highway had caused embarrassment to the government but appealed for public patience, noting that emergency measures were underway to restore smooth traffic flow.
He described the traffic situation on the route as unacceptable and ordered that additional sections of the road be opened to ease congestion ahead of Christmas.
Umahi also raised concerns over persistent gridlock on the Enugu–Onitsha Road, calling for swift and coordinated action by contractors and supervising officials to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure free movement on federal highways nationwide.
Commending contractors for embracing President Bola Tinubu’s transition from asphalt to concrete road construction, Umahi described the shift as challenging but necessary to improve durability and reduce frequent road failures.
He explained that asphalt roads often fail within 10 to 15 years due to drainage and soil issues, while properly constructed concrete roads last significantly longer.
Beyond construction techniques, the minister announced a major reorganisation within the Ministry of Works, revealing that directors and senior engineers would be redeployed to the field to directly supervise projects. He said only the Permanent Secretary and himself would remain office-based, while performance would be assessed strictly based on results.
Umahi further warned contractors handling inherited projects from agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission that payment responsibilities had now fully transferred to the Ministry of Works, following a presidential directive.
He noted that such projects would be re-scoped to achievable targets within nine months, and warned that advance payments would be recovered through banks if contractors failed to mobilise.
He also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the payment of outstanding certified liabilities estimated at ₦263 billion, while noting that all claims would undergo fresh verification.
According to him, unresolved certificates dating back to 2020 amount to about ₦2.1 trillion and require reconciliation to eliminate inflated claims.
To improve efficiency and transparency, Umahi announced plans to digitalise project monitoring through zonal project portals, allowing contractors to upload real-time updates, valuations, and certifications. He said this would ensure evaluations are completed within 48 hours and significantly reduce delays.
On road maintenance, the minister ordered immediate nationwide pothole repairs, warning that no road controller or engineer would be permitted to go on holiday while key routes remain in poor condition.
“Nigerians are tired of excuses. We will stop commissioning solar lights and start commissioning roads and bridges that last,” he said.
Since assuming office, President Tinubu has prioritised road infrastructure as part of his economic recovery agenda, directing the Ministry of Works to adopt cost-effective technologies, complete inherited projects, and strengthen oversight of contractors.