The Federal Ministry of Works has rolled out a funding prioritisation framework to safeguard the completion of strategic road projects earlier financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this on September 9, 2025, during an inspection of the dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Junction in Rivers State.
He explained that the move was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all NNPCL-backed road projects inherited by the current administration must continue seamlessly. According to him, the ministry has identified and submitted such projects to the Presidency, with priority given to those on key economic corridors like the Eleme–Onne road.
“Mr President has graciously directed that none of such works should stop. We are going to prioritise the most critical projects and push them forward for immediate funding,” Umahi stated.
The minister cautioned contractors against poor construction methods, particularly leaving binder courses uncovered, stressing that the practice compromises durability. He instructed federal controllers to intensify supervision and announced that contracts below ₦20bn would no longer be awarded to foreign firms under the government’s “Nigeria First” policy.
Commending Reynolds Construction Company for quality delivery on the Eleme–Onne project, Umahi, however, criticised its pace of execution. He reaffirmed December 15, 2025, as the non-negotiable deadline, insisting there would be no extension, variation, or additional claims.
“The quality is excellent, but the pace is not acceptable. This project can never be reviewed by a kobo,” he warned.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty trucks on federal highways, particularly between Aba and Port Harcourt, blaming it for pavement failures. He pledged to work with state governments and security agencies to tackle the menace.
“Our roads are not designed to carry these heavy trailers. They are destroying pavements and undermining the President’s efforts to build roads that should last 50 to 100 years,” he said.
The Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs. Enwereama Tarilade, confirmed that RCC had completed 15km of the Eket-bound right carriageway and commenced work on the Port Harcourt-bound left carriageway, with 1km already laid using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).
