Demands Unreserved Apology from Daily Trust
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
The Federal Ministry of Works, led by His Excellency, Senator Nweze David Umahi, CON, has vehemently refuted a report published in Daily Trust on January 21, 2025, which falsely alleged that the Ministry awarded a section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road dualization project to Infoquest Nigeria Limited.
At a press conference held on the same day at the Ministry’s headquarters, Senator Umahi, alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Barr. Mohammed Bello Goronyo, and the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folunso O. Adebiyi, described the report as baseless, misleading, and detrimental to the Ministry’s reputation.
Senator Umahi clarified that the Ministry has no business relationship with Infoquest Nigeria Limited. He emphasized that the actual contractor for the project is Infiouest International Limited, a legally compliant and corporately active company. He criticized the publication as a deliberate attempt by certain groups to undermine the Ministry’s efforts to revolutionize road infrastructure under the “Renewed Hope” administration.
He further alleged that the false report was part of a larger conspiracy by detractors to discredit the Ministry’s policies, particularly its commitment to ensuring value for money, quality assurance, and transparency in project execution.
The Minister demanded an unreserved public apology from Daily Trust to the Federal Ministry of Works, to be published in at least five national dailies, for disseminating misinformation that tarnished the Ministry’s image.
Additionally, Senator Umahi responded to recent publications by Julius Berger Plc regarding their withdrawal from the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project. He labeled the statements as mischief-driven and intended to distract the Ministry’s focus on delivering quality road infrastructure.
The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Barr. Mohammed Bello Goronyo, commended the Ministry’s swift and resolute response to the false publication. He urged media practitioners to verify information before publication and avoid being used by “fifth columnists” aiming to sabotage the government’s developmental agenda.
The Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folunso O. Adebiyi, thanked the press for attending the briefing and emphasized the role of development journalism in supporting national growth. He urged the media to prioritize truth and professionalism in their reporting, cautioning against being instruments for undermining progress.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, quality service delivery, and the advancement of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, calling on the public to disregard unfounded claims meant to mislead and disrupt national development efforts.
