In a decisive move, Minister of Works David Umahi has directed federal road contractors to resume work on project sites, emphasizing the importance of keeping strategic highways and bridges operational during the holiday season.
Umahi issued this directive during an emergency meeting in Abuja, where he criticized some contractors for abandoning their sites under the pretext of holiday breaks, especially given the deteriorating road conditions across the country. He stated that critical routes, such as the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway and major corridors in Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states, must remain open.
“No contractor is permitted to close a site without the approval of the Federal Ministry of Works. Some sites must not close at all,” Umahi declared, urging contractors to ensure vehicles can pass freely.
The minister acknowledged recent traffic disruptions on the Abuja–Lokoja highway and called for immediate action to restore the flow of vehicles. He also voiced concerns over congestion on the Enugu–Onitsha Road, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to eliminate bottlenecks.
Umahi praised contractors for transitioning from asphalt to concrete road technology, recognizing its benefits in durability and longevity. He announced a reorganization within the Federal Ministry of Works, with directors and senior engineers to supervise projects directly in the field.
Additionally, he warned contractors involved in inherited projects from the Niger Delta Development Commission that payment responsibilities have shifted entirely to the Ministry of Works. He pledged to enhance transparency and efficiency through digital project monitoring systems to expedite evaluations and certifications.
Umahi concluded by highlighting the urgency of repairing potholes nationwide, declaring that no road controller or engineer would be permitted to take holidays while critical routes fell into disrepair. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to prioritizing infrastructure development as part of President Tinubu’s economic recovery agenda.
