The Federal Government has directed contractors handling major federal road projects across the country not to shut down construction sites during the yuletide without approval from the Ministry of Works.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, issued the directive on Tuesday while addressing contractors in Abuja. He said the order applies to critical highways, including the Abuja–Lokoja, Lagos–Port Harcourt, Keffi–Makurdi and Abuja–Kano expressways, among others.
Umahi also directed contractors to formally exit all previous contractual arrangements, including those tied to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) tax credit projects inherited by the Federal Government, before they would be considered for payment.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed NNPCL to pay contractors a total of N263 billion, adding that the overall debt owed to contractors from 2023 to date stands at about N2.13 trillion. According to him, payments will only commence after the figures have been properly verified.
Commending contractors for accommodating road projects not captured in the budget, the minister stressed the need to keep major highways free during the festive season to ease movement. He admitted that the Federal Government was embarrassed by the recent gridlock on the Abuja–Lokoja expressway, where travellers were stranded for hours following a standoff between truck drivers and military personnel.
“I want to make it clear to you, the contractors, that you will not close the sites without approval,” Umahi said. “These sites include the Abuja–Kano, Enugu–Onitsha, Sokoto–Zamfara, Abuja–Lokoja, Lagos–Port Harcourt expressways and other major roads, including the Keffi–Makurdi.
“I plead with you to free the roads because we were thoroughly embarrassed by the Abuja–Lokoja road, and we do not want a repeat of that situation.”
On inherited NNPCL road projects, Umahi said President Tinubu had directed that all such projects must continue, stressing that NNPCL would no longer be responsible for payments going forward.
“I want to announce to you that Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed that all NNPCL projects must continue, and the NNPCL will not be the one to pay you again. The Ministry of Works will pay going forward,” he said.
The minister added that from January 7, 2026, senior officials of the ministry would be deployed to directly supervise projects nationwide.
“Our greatest problem is a lack of supervision, and, as I said, there will be a director in each of the NNPCL projects from January 7, 2026,” he said, warning that all contractors must be fully digitalised or risk sanctions.
Promising that all verified debts would be settled, Umahi said, “N263 billion will be paid to you by the NNPCL as directed by the President, but you have to exit previous agreements before you receive the payment. Each of you being owed should come with evidence, because the total debt between 2023 and date is N2.13 trillion, and we need to confirm the figures.”
He added that debts incurred before he assumed office in 2023 would require the involvement of anti-graft agencies and the Auditor-General before payment.
The minister also criticised the previous administration, saying repeated contract awards did not translate into visible progress on several projects.
“What we are supposed to be doing in some of these projects is continuation, but it would seem we are starting all over. So what has been happening is garbage in and garbage out. Nothing was done,” he said.
In a related development, the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Goronyo, announced that from 2026, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) would no longer undertake minor projects such as solar light installations.
“From 2026, FERMA must do roads and not solar lights. I will not go to commission solar lights done by FERMA,” Goronyo said.
He added that FERMA should focus on major interventions, including the repair of collapsed bridges and major roads, and directed the agency to use concrete rather than asphalt for road repairs.
“Nigerians are tired of excuses, and this is the time to work. FERMA must be on the field, and there must be no laxity,” he said.
