The Federal Government has directed all federal road contractors to keep their project sites open during the holiday season, stressing that major highways and bridges must remain operational.
Minister of Works David Umahi issued the instruction on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with directors and contractors of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja. He also ordered directors and federal controllers to postpone their holiday plans and stay on site to ensure that ongoing projects do not obstruct traffic flow.
Umahi criticised contractors who abandoned sites under the pretext of taking holidays, despite worsening road conditions nationwide. He singled out strategic routes such as the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, Abuja drainage canals, and key corridors in Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states, emphasizing that these roads must not be closed.
“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. Open the roads for vehicular movement,” Umahi said.
The minister also revealed that the government has begun verifying and preparing to pay N2.13 trillion owed to road contractors, with payments scheduled to start in January 2026. Contractors and directors have been instructed to submit claims and certificates for verification, with only confirmed obligations to be settled.
Umahi said President Bola Tinubu was surprised by the size of the outstanding liabilities, which he described as largely inherited and worsened by weak supervision and poor contract management. A committee chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima has been set up to oversee the verification and payment process.
Acknowledging recent traffic disruptions, particularly on the Abuja–Lokoja highway, Umahi described the situation as “very embarrassing” and directed emergency measures to restore smooth traffic ahead of the festive season. He also expressed concern about congestion on the Enugu–Onitsha Road.
The minister urged contractors and supervising officials to act urgently and work together to remove bottlenecks and ensure smooth movement on all major federal highways.
He also commended contractors for supporting the shift from asphalt to concrete roads under President Tinubu’s policy, describing it as a challenging but necessary step to improve durability. According to Umahi, asphalt roads often deteriorate within 10 to 15 years due to drainage failures and poor soil conditions, while concrete roads have longer lifespans if properly constructed.
In addition, Umahi announced a reorganisation of the Ministry of Works, redeploying directors and senior engineers to supervise projects directly in the field. “Everybody is going to the field. Only the Permanent Secretary and I will remain in the office. Each director will supervise a major project, and performance will be judged strictly by output,” he said.