…Says Infiouest Handles Abuja-Kaduna Contract, Not Mikano
By SUNNY ABBA, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Sen. David Nweze Umahi, has condemned what he described as increasing rate of vandalism of critical road infrastructure across the country.
Umahi who was addressing a press conference at the headquarters of the ministry on Thursday also clarified that
the Federal Ministry of Works did not award the Abuja-Kaduna Road contract to Mikano International Limited as being speculated in some quarters.
According to the minister, the contract was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, in line with due procurement processes and transparency standards.
Expressing serious concern over growing culture of vandalism of roads, bridges, and related infrastructure nationwide, Engr Umahi noted that the ministry owes the public the responsibility of protecting federal road infrastructure from destruction.
He cited recent cases along the Lagos Coastal Road corridor, where protective structures and road components have been deliberately damaged.
According to the minister, flooding recorded in some sections of the coastal highway was largely caused by blockage of underground drainage channels with refuse, emphasizing the need for public cooperation in maintaining infrastructure.
He commended the Lagos State government, security agencies, and the Nigeria Police for deploying personnel to safeguard critical infrastructure and combat vandalism.
He disclosed that parking of heavy trucks on bridges creates structural stress, as bridges are not designed for static heavy loads, adding that some offenders have already been arrested and are being prosecuted.
The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s adoption of reinforced concrete road technology, which is expected to last between 50 and 100 years, compared to the traditional asphalt roads, commending President Tinubu for supporting long-term infrastructure development and for approving several strategic road projects nationwide.
The minister announced the Extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road by 8.7km to link the East–West Road, using concrete pavement technology.
He reported Progress on major legacy road corridors including routes connecting Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri, and expansion of CCTV surveillance on major bridges and highways to curb vandalism and enhance monitoring.
The minister emphasised that federal road projects are distributed based on national development priorities, not regional considerations. He called on Nigerians to support national unity and protect public assets.
The federal government, he disclosed, is considering stronger policies and collaboration with private sector partners and state governments to improve road maintenance and enforce compliance against illegal road obstructions and structures.
Addressing the status of NNPCL-funded road projects initiated under Executive Order 007, April–May 2023, Umahi clarified that in line with the new directives of government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, is no longer paying contractors for those inherited projects.
He announced that the Federal Ministry of Works has officially taken over both project supervision and payment responsibilities, in line with new federal directives.
The Minister disclosed that ₦127 billion has been released by Mr President for the continuation of the NNPCL projects, and that an estimated ₦7 trillion will be required to complete them all, as they are critical to national connectivity and economic development.
Sen. Umahi further revealed that the federal government inherited 6,604 ongoing federal road and bridge projects nationwide, with a projected ₦16.9 trillion required for their completion, adding “you can imagine how much it would be now”.
He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all inherited projects must be completed, stressing that infrastructure development remains a top priority of the administration.
Reiterating the ministry’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of projects, Umahi assured Nigerians that the government is determined to deliver quality infrastructure that meets international standards.