No contractor can shut down federal roads without approval – Umahi
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has warned contractors handling federal road projects that no site may be shut down without the approval of the Federal Ministry of Works.
He gave the warning during a press briefing in Abuja, stressing that the contract terms and procedures clearly prohibit arbitrary closure of federal roads.
“Please, for you to close sites, they must be approved by the federal ministry, of course. That is what the contract says. That’s what the procedure says. You don’t just close and open. We need to know if you want to close… So no place will close without our permission. This is very important.”
Umahi commended contractors for aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s policy shift to concrete road technology, describing the transition as difficult but necessary.
“It’s not always easy to accept a change… but I’m happy that a lot of you, on your own, even came to have their projects be restored from asphalt to concrete,” he said.
He praised contractors for undertaking emergency interventions on damaged roads and bridges, even when such works were not captured in the budget. Umahi likened delays caused by budgetary and procurement hurdles to “asking for police reports” in emergency medical cases, adding that saving lives and keeping roads motorable must take priority.
The minister stressed that contractors must seek approval before closing any site, noting that some strategic routes must remain open at all times.
“You don’t just close and open. We need to know if you want to close,” he said, listing critical corridors such as Abuja–Lokoja, and major routes in Katsina and Sokoto that “cannot close.”
Reflecting on public backlash over traffic disruptions, Umahi admitted that the ministry was “totally embarrassed” by conditions on the Abuja–Lokoja road but praised the patience of Nigerians.
He defended ongoing projects and backed the President’s infrastructure drive, saying, “Can we put our hands together for our president?”
On inherited NNPC road projects, Umahi said President Tinubu directed that all such projects must continue but clarified changes in funding responsibility.
“NNPC is not going to pay you again… Minister of Works will be the one paying you,” he said, explaining that projects would be broken into sections that contractors can complete within nine months.
He warned contractors on financial discipline, stating that advance payments cannot remain idle.
“If you do not release our advance payments… we have to write to the banks to recover our advance payments,” he said, while confirming that NNPC-certified projects worth N263 billion are being processed through FIRS for payment.
Umahi announced a major reorganisation of the Ministry of Works to strengthen supervision, declaring that “everybody is going to go to the field. Only me and the Prime Secretary will stay in the office.”
He added that directors will be assessed by project outcomes and warned that lack of digital competence could lead to removal from office.
Addressing unpaid certificates, the minister said the President was unhappy with the situation and immediately set up a committee chaired by the Vice President.
He urged contractors to remain patient, assuring them, “Be assured that you will be paid,” while outlining plans for stricter verification and documentation of claims.
Looking ahead to 2026, Umahi said road construction would be tied strictly to drainage works, multiple project hoarding by contractors would no longer be allowed, and transparency would be strengthened through digital reporting platforms.
Speaking further, he emphasized that Nigerians “are tired of excuses” even as he pledged that the ministry would deliver durable roads and bridges nationwide.
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