In a bid to ensure smooth movement of travellers during the festive season, the Federal Government has instructed contractors handling major federal highways to continue work and keep construction sites open throughout the yuletide period.
The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, gave the directive while meeting with road contractors in Abuja, warning that no project site on key highways should be shut down without clearance from the Ministry of Works. He said the order applies to several strategic corridors, including the Abuja–Lokoja, Lagos–Port Harcourt, Abuja–Kano and Keffi–Makurdi expressways, among others.
Umahi said the government’s decision was informed by the hardship recently faced by commuters on the Abuja–Lokoja road, where traffic congestion left travellers stranded for hours, with many spending the night on the highway. The situation, which followed a confrontation between truck drivers and security personnel, he said, was unacceptable and must not be repeated during the yuletide rush.
The minister appealed to contractors to ensure that construction activities do not obstruct traffic flow, noting that the Federal Government was concerned about the embarrassment caused by the disruption. He stressed that public convenience and safety must take priority, especially during peak travel periods.
On funding and outstanding payments, Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to release N263 billion for payment to contractors. He added that total outstanding liabilities owed to road contractors from 2023 to date amount to N2.13 trillion, but insisted that payments would only begin after claims are properly verified.
He explained that contractors handling inherited NNPCL Tax Credit projects would be required to formally disengage from previous contractual arrangements before they can receive payments under the Ministry of Works. According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the continuation of all such projects, while transferring payment responsibility to the ministry.
Umahi also announced plans to tighten project monitoring, revealing that from 2026, senior and regional directors in the ministry would be assigned specific projects to supervise. He added that full digitalisation of operations would be mandatory to improve accountability and efficiency.
The minister further noted that debts incurred before his appointment would be subjected to scrutiny by relevant oversight and anti-corruption agencies before any payments are made. He expressed dissatisfaction with the level of progress recorded on some projects awarded in previous years, describing the situation as a setback to effective infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Goronyo, announced a new operational focus for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). He said the agency would, from 2026, concentrate strictly on major road repairs and the reconstruction of collapsed bridges, rather than minor installations such as solar streetlights.
Goronyo also directed that concrete technology should replace asphalt in FERMA’s road repairs, stressing that Nigerians expect tangible results. He warned that the agency must remain active in the field, adding that there would be no tolerance for delays or half measures in road maintenance efforts.
