BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, has directed Zonal Directors, Federal Controllers of Works and Engineers’ Representatives across the country to intensify field supervision and urgently rehabilitate failed sections of major Federal highways ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
Umahi gave the directive on Friday, November 13, 2026, during a strategic meeting with Coordinating Directors of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation (C&R), Bridges and Design (B&D), and Zonal Directors, where he stressed that ensuring the motorability of major highways must take priority over ongoing permanent construction works.
According to a press statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammed A. Ahmed, the Minister expressed concern over situations where contractors concentrate on permanent construction activities while other sections of the same roads remain impassable.
He said such practices would no longer be tolerated, directing Zonal Directors to return to the field immediately and ensure that major highways across the country become motorable within the next three weeks through urgent palliative interventions.
The interventions, according to the statement, include removing failed road sections, filling potholes and applying sharp sand, stone base, cement stabilisation, binder and wearing courses, depending on the condition of the affected roads.
The Minister explained that the directive was aimed at reducing the hardship faced by motorists, particularly during the festive season when the movement of passengers, goods and services is expected to increase significantly.
He noted that the Federal Government inherited numerous failed roads requiring urgent attention, adding that infrastructure challenges and funding constraints made practical interventions necessary to provide immediate relief to road users while permanent construction projects continue.
Umahi identified several major highways requiring urgent attention, including Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto, Mararaba–Keffi, Abuja–Lokoja, Kano–Katsina, Keffi–Makurdi, Makurdi–Enugu, East-West Road, Benin Bypass, Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Warri–Oleh, Kano–Shuwarin and Bauchi–Gombe roads.
He also directed immediate rehabilitation of critical highways in the South-East, particularly Enugu–Port Harcourt, Enugu–Aba, Abakaliki–Enugu, Abakaliki–Gojia and Aba–Port Harcourt roads.
The statement said the Minister specifically instructed contractors handling the affected projects to cooperate fully with the Ministry’s field officers and undertake necessary palliative works, stressing that permanent construction targets must not compromise the immediate safety and convenience of road users.
He warned that contractors who failed to comply with the directive must be reported immediately, assuring that appropriate action would be taken against those found wanting.
Umahi further charged Zonal Directors to personally inspect projects, engage contractors and submit comprehensive reports detailing the condition of each road, the extent of work executed, identified challenges, contractors’ commitments and interventions required.
To ensure effective coordination and real-time monitoring, he directed the establishment of a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which field reports would be submitted.
He emphasised that such reports must contain the names of responsible officers, project locations, contractors, identified challenges and recommendations for resolving outstanding issues.
The Minister also announced that he would commence visits to the various zones from Monday to assess compliance with the directive and evaluate the performance of Zonal Directors and other supervising officers.
Responding to a question from the Deputy Director, Highways, North-East, Mr. Berida Onayesemi, on how to address failed road sections without contractors currently handling them, Umahi directed that such locations must be reported immediately for urgent intervention.
He explained that emergencies, particularly bridges at risk of collapse and roads that have been cut off, required immediate attention rather than delays caused by bureaucratic procedures.
He assured the officers that the Ministry would engage competent contractors to handle such emergencies and obtain the necessary approvals and funding from the President.
To support effective field operations, the Minister assured Zonal Directors that adequate logistical assistance, including accommodation, fuelling and vehicle hire where necessary, would be provided.
He described the assignment as a collective responsibility and sacrifice rather than a punitive exercise, urging all officers to work together towards ensuring safer, more accessible and reliable Federal roads.
In a move to promote commitment and healthy competition, Umahi announced that outstanding performance by zones in ensuring the motorability of major highways would be recognised and rewarded with special awards.
He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving road infrastructure nationwide, stressing that the Ministry must take every necessary measure to prevent avoidable hardship for Nigerians travelling on Federal highways during the forthcoming festive season and early-year electoral period.
The Minister called on Zonal Directors, Controllers of Works, Resident Engineers and project supervisors to demonstrate urgency, dedication and accountability in carrying out the assignment, declaring that there would be no excuses for failure to comply with the directive.
