Minister of Works, Engineer Nweze Dave Umahi, has instructed a team from his ministry to inspect the section of the Kano-Maiduguri federal road in Bauchi State that was damaged by recent floods. This area of the road was severely affected after heavy rain, causing it to be cut off. The team will assess the extent of the damage and report back to the ministry.
Umahi promised that the ministry would find an urgent solution to address the issues and ease the difficulties faced by those who use the road, particularly the residents of Malori-Guskuri in Katsgun Local Government Area, whose livelihoods have been greatly disrupted by the damage.
He expressed frustration about the frequent problems with roads after contractors complete their work. He noted that even when projects are finished, they often don’t last long, which leads to recurring issues. Umahi criticized the current one-year liability period for road projects, saying it is insufficient.
He argued that poorly executed work should be addressed more thoroughly to ensure longer-lasting results. The minister also mentioned that the contractor, Mothercart Limited, responsible for the damaged section of the Kano-Maiduguri road, will be asked to join the evaluation team to understand why the road was affected.
During a review meeting with representatives from Dangote Group, BUA Group, and Mainstream Energy Solutions in Abuja, Umahi discussed the progress of road projects under the Tax Credit Scheme. He emphasized the need to review the liability period for federal projects to ensure better durability and value for money.
Umahi called for more commitment from all involved parties, including funding partners, the ministry, and contractors. He stressed the importance of completing projects on time to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians who rely on these roads. He urged patience and cooperation from the public and emphasized that everyone must contribute to support the president’s vision for improving the country’s infrastructure.
Several projects are being handled under the Tax Credit Scheme, though some have faced delays due to outdated prices. These projects include the 35 km Apapa-Owonronshoki Expressway in Lagos, the 38 km section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, the 49.577 km Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala road in Borno,
The Nnamdi Azikiwe road western bypass in Kaduna, the 49.153 km Bama-Banki road in Borno, the 105 km Obelle-Ilaro-Papalanto-Shagamu road dualization, the 54.239 km Deep Seaport in Lagos, the 65.5 km Afikpo-Okigwe road in Ebonyi and Imo states, and the 53.7 km side lanes for the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos. Other projects include the 20 km of roads in three sections of the Lokoja-Benin Highway, the 17.6 km section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road (with an additional 3 km at the Kano axis),
The 132.5 km Kano-Kongollam road in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, the 130 km Bode Sadu-Kaiama road, the 42 km Eyenkorin-Offa road, the 73 km Lafiaji-Bacita road, and the 37 km Okuta-Kenu road in Kwara State. Additionally, the 76.586 km Malando-Ngasike-Wara road in Kebbi State, the 45.13 km Sabon Gari-Yuni-Auna Road in Niger State, and the asphalt overlay of the Mokwa-Nasarawa road in Niger State are also part of the scheme. MTN is working on the dualization of the 107 km Enugu-Onitsha road.
Umahi praised the progress made by Dangote Plc on several projects, including the Apapa-Owonronshoki Expressway and the Lekki Deep Seaport road. He also commended BUA for their work on the Lokoja-Benin Highway project but urged Mainstream to accelerate their efforts.
