By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of road projects as anti-corruption agencies are currently reviewing all ongoing contracts nationwide on the order of Mr President.
Speaking during the reopening of the reinstated damaged flyover on the Abuja–Keffi Expressway and Keffi-Nasarawa-Toto Road in Keffi, the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed that all road projects be submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to a statement signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works, “the verification exercise is an unprecedented step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in the governance of projects”.
The Minister said, “We have sent Mr President’s projects to ICPC immediately after I assumed office to go to all the states and verify. This is the first of its kind. We have also sent the same list to the EFCC.”
He added that the President had ordered a full assessment of road works across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, with an online platform currently in the offing to enable the public to track project status in real time.
The Minister praised President Tinubu’s prompt intervention in restoring the damaged flyover, which suffered a major 20-metre structural failure earlier in the year.
“Within 24 hours, Mr President approved the release of funds for the reinstatement. It is unprecedented,” he stressed. The Flyover, now reconstructed with modern safety features including a twin gantry crash-prevention system on both sides of the approach, was delivered in just four months – far ahead of typical industry timelines.”
During an inspection of ongoing works on the Abuja–Kano Dual Carriageway, on the same day, Engr Umahi provided updates on the redesigned concrete-pavement project.
He explained that the original design contained significant technical gaps, which required modification, adding that the adoption of continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology guarantees a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs.
The Minister dismissed claims of slow progress on the project, noting that the redesigned project is barely six months old. “This road is a priority legacy project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What we have done within this period speaks for itself,” he added.
He further explained that the federal government’s new “build–operate–maintain” model aims at ensuring sustainability and cost recovery on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
“With concrete roads, maintenance costs are very minimal. What will come to the government from tolling will therefore be higher. That is our return on investment,” Umahi revealed.
Opposition political party leaders, who joined the inspection tour, commended the pace, quality, and transformation unfolding under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.
A People Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Otunba Segun Showunmi, said that “within three months this flyover is back and looking better. At this pace, our national infrastructure deficit will be defeated”.
On the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, African Democratic Congress (ADC) representative, Dr Kanti Uthman, also has said, “I passed here four (4) months ago during the rains – there was no road. Today I am surprised. The quality is world-class.”
Representatives of the Action Alliance (AA) party and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) also praised the giant strides of the administration and urged the federal government to replicate the model on other critical routes.
Earlier, the technical crew confirmed that all major structural components of the Keffi Flyover are now in place. The Federal Controller of Works (FCT), Engr Yakubu Usman, stated, “The damaged section had been reinstated and the deck, which was cast 29 days ago is ready for traffic.”
The Acting Director, Highways (Bridges and Design), Engr Musa Sa’idu, added that the new gantry system is already preventing further crashes and damage to the structure.
“Another trailer attempted to hit the flyover but the gantry stopped it. The project is completed and ready for use,” he confirmed.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Rafiu Adeladan expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his untiring efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s road infrastructure through the dynamic leadership of Engr Umahi.
He assured that the ministry’s entire staff would continue to support the minister to meet the president’s mandate, noting that he had worked with him long enough to attest to his diligence, competence, and exceptional leadership.
Also with the minister on the tour of duty were members of the Senate, Senior Special Assistants to the President (SSA-P) on Community Engagement, and other stakeholders.