The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed federal road contractors to immediately halt the closure of project sites and return to work, warning that no strategic highway or bridge should be shut during the festive season or beyond.
Umahi issued the directive on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with directors and contractors of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where he accused some contractors of abandoning project sites under the excuse of holiday breaks, despite deteriorating road conditions nationwide.
The minister insisted that key federal highways must remain open to traffic, stressing that project sites should not impede vehicular movement, especially during periods of heavy travel such as Christmas and New Year.
He also ordered directors within the Ministry of Works and Federal Controllers of Works across the country to suspend their holiday plans and remain physically present on project sites to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout the festive period.
According to him, critical projects including the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, Abuja drainage canals and major corridors in Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi states must not be closed under any circumstances 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,” Umahi said.
The minister acknowledged that recent disruptions on the Abuja–Lokoja highway had embarrassed the government but appealed to motorists for patience, explaining that emergency measures were already underway to restore traffic flow.
Describing the gridlock on the Abuja–Lokoja Road as “very embarrassing,” Umahi ordered that additional lanes be opened immediately to ease congestion, particularly ahead of the Christmas rush.
He also raised concerns about persistent congestion on the Enugu–Onitsha Road, calling for urgent and coordinated action by contractors and supervising officials to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure free movement on major federal roads across the country.
Umahi commended contractors for embracing President Bola Tinubu’s policy shift from asphalt to concrete road technology, describing the transition as challenging but essential for long-term durability.
“I commend you for agreeing to adapt to the new policy of Mr President on concrete road technology. Many of you even requested that your projects be changed from asphalt to concrete. That is not easy, but it is necessary,” he said.
He argued that asphalt roads often fail within 10 to 15 years due to drainage problems and weak soil conditions, while properly constructed concrete roads offer significantly longer life spans.
Beyond construction methods, 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.
“Everybody is going to the field. Only the Permanent Secretary and I will remain in the office. Every director will supervise a major project and performance will be judged strictly by output,” Umahi declared.
He blamed poor supervision for many failed projects and vowed to end what he described as “office-based engineering.”
Umahi also warned contractors handling inherited projects originally awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission and other agencies that payment responsibilities had now fully shifted to the Ministry of Works following a presidential directive.
“All inherited NDDC and related projects will continue, but those agencies will no longer pay you. The Ministry of Works will take over payment, and contracts will be re-scoped to what can realistically be delivered within nine months,” he said.
He cautioned that advance payments would be recovered through banks if contractors failed to mobilise to site, stressing that financial indiscipline would no longer be tolerated.
The minister further disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the payment of outstanding certified liabilities estimated at N263bn, directing relevant agencies to work with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to accelerate disbursement.
However, he noted that all claims would be subjected to fresh verification, adding that outstanding certificates dating back to 2020 amounted to about N2.1tn and required reconciliation to eliminate inflated or unsupported claims.
Umahi also announced plans to digitalise project monitoring through zonal portals where contractors would upload site updates, valuations and certifications in real time, a move he said would ensure evaluations are completed within 48 hours and improve transparency.
On road maintenance, the minister ordered immediate nationwide pothole repairs, warning that no road controller or engineer would be allowed to abandon duty while major routes deteriorate.
“Nigerians are tired of excuses. We will no longer commission solar lights; we will commission roads and bridges that last,” he said.
Since assuming office, President Tinubu has placed road infrastructure at the centre of his economic recovery agenda, directing the Ministry of Works to adopt cost-efficient technologies, complete inherited projects and strengthen contractor oversight.
What you should know
The Works Minister’s directive reflects growing government concern over worsening road conditions during peak travel periods.
By banning holiday shutdowns, redeploying senior officials to the field and tightening contractor supervision, the Federal Government aims to keep major highways open, reduce traffic congestion and improve accountability.
The push for concrete road technology and digital project monitoring signals a broader reform effort to address chronic infrastructure failures and delays.
