The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has directed Contractors working on the nation’s highways to remain onsite and ensure uninterrupted vehicular movements throughout the festive season.
Umahi gave the directive at an emergency meeting with leadership of the ministry and
Project Managers of companies handling the ministry’s road projects in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that road projects such as the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, the Abuja drainage canals, and key corridors in Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi states must remain open due to their strategic importance.
“No contractor is permitted to close a site without the approval of the Federal Ministry of Works. Some sites must not close at all. Abuja–Lokoja cannot close.
“Some corridors are simply too critical. We would like some of our contractors who may be taking holidays to understand what is going on at their sites. Don’t close the roads. Open them for vehicular movements”, he said.
Citing an example with the recent gridlock experienced by commuters along the Abuja-Lokoja road, the minister urged relevant stakeholders like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to live up to their responsibilities:
“So, for Road Safety, I’ve told them to take their jobs seriously. If this continues, I will report them to the president. Everybody in this country should do their work”, he queried.
Umahi also directed contractors to present the generated certificates, along with their claims of 2.13 trillion naira owed local contractors, for verification and payment in January.
“We must verify everything, because from 2023 to date, the total inherited debt is about N2.13 trillion, and we must be sure of the correctness”, he said.
Speaking about generated certificates for NNPC-funded projects, he informed that President had approved that the sum of N263 billion be paid to the contractors.
“NNPC has been directed to liaise with FIRS to ensure you are paid. That process is ongoing. On the generated certificates under the Ministry of Works that have not been paid for. Accept my apologies,”
“The Permanent Secretary will write to all contractors and direct the legal department to exit NNPC and the Ministry of Finance. We are not cancelling contracts, but since they are no longer funded by NNPC, we have to exit the agreement”, he said.
On his part, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo stated that come 2026, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) would adopt innovative solutions to deliver on its mandates.
He noted that Nigerians were tired of excuses and as such FERMA must brace up to its duty of road maintenance.
