Opposition parties, lawmakers and presidential aides hail quality of work on Mararaba–Keffi and Abuja–Kaduna–Kano corridors during joint inspection tour
President Bola Tinubu’s drive for transparency in Nigeria’s road infrastructure received renewed attention on Thursday as the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that all ongoing and completed Federal road projects under the administration have been submitted to the ICPC and EFCC for verification. Umahi made the disclosure during an inspection tour of the Mararaba–Keffi and Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road corridors, which also drew an unusual gathering of opposition party leaders, lawmakers, and presidential aides who joined the assessment.
The minister said he personally forwarded a detailed list of projects executed since Tinubu took office to both anti-corruption agencies, directing them to physically inspect each project across all states and the FCT. He described the move as unprecedented in the ministry’s history and told reporters he had already briefed the President at the Federal Executive Council meeting. “We asked them to go through every state to verify the projects and take a decision. This is the first of its kind,” he said, adding that transparency has become a hallmark of the present administration.
Umahi also commended President Tinubu for approving emergency funding within 24 hours after a road incident was reported in Nasarawa State. He said Governor Abdullahi Sule contacted him immediately and he promptly briefed the President, who released funds the next day. The minister further addressed concerns from contractors about unpaid debts, confirming that the President has set up a committee to review arrears owed by the Ministry of Works. He praised CGC for excellent performance and noted that local contractor JRB delivered work superior to that of some foreign companies.
The inspection also witnessed rare bipartisan commendation, as opposition party members acknowledged the quality of work on the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano corridor. PDP chieftain, Dr. Otunba Segun Showunmi, said the standard of construction was unlike anything seen in decades, adding that Nigerians would “heave a sigh of relief” once the project is completed. He noted that Umahi’s long-built reputation for competence was a key reason opposition figures accompanied him on the tour, stressing the need for consensus around national development.
Dr. Kanti Uthman of the ADC described the project as “world standard,” stating that honesty required giving credit when work was well executed. Representatives of Action Alliance and the NNPP also praised the progress made and pledged to enlighten Nigerians on the improvements observed. Members of the Senate Committee on Works present at the inspection similarly commended the minister, saying his performance shows the President appointed the right person for the job.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Dr Abiodun Essiet, said the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road has become one of the administration’s emerging legacy projects. She noted that opposition leaders were intentionally invited because democratic governance requires openness, not isolation. Essiet added that CCTV cameras would be installed along the Keffi–Mararaba axis during the festive period to improve safety for travellers.
Giving technical updates, Umahi explained that the original ₦73 billion contract awarded to China Harbour had design flaws, which limited full execution to just 44 kilometres. Emergency repairs were later added, along with an extra 20 kilometres based on performance. He disclosed that Section One, spanning 118 kilometres, now costs ₦252 billion with half already paid, while 17 kilometres around Kano are being completely rebuilt from the foundation. A 12-kilometre solar-lit extension is nearly completed. He noted that sections one and three currently have eight kilometres of finished concrete pavement, while Section Two covers 72 kilometres and is valued at ₦502 billion.
The minister emphasised that the slow pace of the project is due to the use of reinforced concrete, which takes longer but lasts far longer than asphalt. “If we were laying asphalt, we could finish the 260 kilometres in nine months,” he said. “But this reinforced concrete road will last between 50 and 100 years. That is worth the patience.” He reminded Nigerians that the project was given a 14-month timeline, out of which about six months have been completed.
