By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, has emphasized the critical role of road infrastructure in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, which focuses on food security, poverty eradication, improved security, economic growth, and job creation.
Speaking at a two-day retreat for Highways Engineers and management staff of the Ministry, held on January 17, 2025, in Abuja, Umahi highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to stimulate economic growth and improve the lives of citizens through robust infrastructural development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to reconstructing and rehabilitating major highways to ease the movement of people and goods, alleviate citizens’ suffering, and enhance national integration. The retreat, themed “Ensuring Delivery of Mr. President’s Agenda on Road Infrastructural Development,” aimed to optimize service delivery and efficiency in road projects nationwide.
Umahi charged supervisory staff and engineers to adopt international engineering standards and practices to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. He also directed that contractors must mobilize to project sites before requesting mobilization fees and stressed the importance of continuous capacity-building programs for engineers to ensure sustained improvement in service delivery.
In a directive to Federal Controllers of Works (FCWs), Umahi ordered the dismantling of unauthorized speed bumps on federal highways, emphasizing that only approved designs and specifications should be implemented.
Goodwill Messages and Acknowledgments
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, commended the Minister for his vision and efforts toward transforming the road sector. He introduced a team of re-energized engineers committed to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Muhammadu Bello Goronyo, praised Umahi’s leadership and professionalism, urging stakeholders to maintain collaborative efforts to achieve the administration’s objectives in road infrastructure.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, called on the Ministry to ensure that roads serve the citizens effectively, while Senator Mpigi Barinada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, stressed the need for proper budgetary allocation to cover all Nigerian roads.
Key Highlights from the Retreat
The retreat featured panel discussions led by experts, including retired directors, ministry officials, and representatives from agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Topics covered included procurement compliance, resource management, project planning, and alignment with the President’s agenda.
Resolutions from the retreat included:
- Strengthening the Federal Emergency Road Management Agency (FERMA) to fulfill its mandate.
- Lobbying for the establishment of a Federal Highways Authority.
- Publishing contracts and contractor details on the Ministry’s website to ensure transparency.
- Eliminating emergency contracts and introducing contractor categorization starting in 2025.
- Tracking priority projects by the second quarter of 2026 for commissioning.
Participants were also tasked with ensuring motorable roads nationwide, particularly the vital Abuja-Kaduna route, which links the South and North. Civil servants were urged to collaborate with politicians to deliver on the administration’s promises effectively.
As part of the administration’s long-term vision, the retreat underscored the Ministry’s dedication to delivering high-quality road infrastructure, which remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development.
