By| Goodluck E.Adubazi | Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating road construction, reconstruction, expansion and rehabilitation across the country to boost economic growth, strengthen national integration and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
This assurance was given during the continuation of the Federal Ministry of Works’ nationwide media tour and commissioning of emergency and special intervention projects in Nasarawa State.
Speaking during the tour, the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Works, Malam Mohammed A. Ahmed, said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s strategic effort to rehabilitate critical sections of the national road network under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ahmed disclosed that when the current administration assumed office in May 2023, it inherited 2,064 ongoing road projects across the country, many of which had stalled due to funding challenges, alongside an inherited debt burden of about ₦13 trillion.
He explained that the government subsequently prioritised 260 emergency and special intervention projects nationwide to address severely deteriorated federal roads and sections damaged by flooding and other natural disasters.
“These projects were initiated to quickly restore critical road and transport links to ensure seamless movement of people, goods and services across the country,” Ahmed said.
He added that the projects are being executed under the supervision of the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, as part of the administration’s broader infrastructure development drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
One of the projects commissioned during the tour was a six-kilometre stretch of road linking Agyaragu town to Sabon Kwara in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The project, executed by A.A. Albasu (Nigeria) Limited, began in November 2022 and was completed in November 2023. It forms part of a 10.5-kilometre corridor serving several surrounding communities.
Construction works on the road included earthworks, excavation and replacement of existing culverts, installation of pipe culverts and lined drains, a 200mm thick lateritic sub-base course, a 100mm crushed stone base course, asphaltic concrete wearing course, surface dressing on shoulders and lane markings.
Providing technical details, the Federal Controller of Works in Nasarawa State, Engr. Ishaku Mamri, said the road was previously in a deplorable condition, causing serious hardship for residents, traders and motorists who rely on the route to transport goods and access nearby towns.
He said the rehabilitated section was constructed to a width of 7.3 metres with shoulders and includes about four kilometres of drainage infrastructure to enhance durability and effective water management.
“The road was awarded in November 2022 and completed in 2023. It has since been in use by the community and has significantly improved movement within the area,” Mamri said.
He noted that while residents have expressed appreciation for the project, they also appealed for the completion of the remaining four kilometres of the road alignment.
The project was officially commissioned by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State Council, Comrade Salihu Mohammed Alkali, who represented the Minister of Works at the ceremony.
Also present were representatives of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Lafia Branch and other stakeholders.
As part of the media tour, the team also inspected the ongoing Lafia Bypass project, a 15.8-kilometre alternative route designed to ease traffic congestion within Lafia metropolis and provide a faster corridor for commuters travelling between Abuja, Makurdi and other eastern parts of the country.
According to the Project Engineer for China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Engr. Tijani Olalekan, the project—initially awarded by a previous administration but later stalled—fully resumed in February 2024 and has now reached over 80 per cent completion. He expressed optimism that the project would be completed before the end of the year.
The scope of work includes site clearance, earthworks, construction of hydraulic structures, sub-base and stone base layers, stone pitching, lined drains, asphaltic concrete binder course and relocation of electrical poles along the corridor.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Hon. Mu’azu A. Gosho, commended the contractor for the quality of work delivered so far.
Officials also visited ongoing rehabilitation works along the Keffi–Nasarawa Toto–Abaji road, a strategic route aimed at improving connectivity between the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State and neighbouring states.
According to the Federal Controller of Works, the road project, originally awarded in 2018, suffered delays due to inadequate funding but has regained momentum following renewed commitment from the Federal Government.
He revealed that the project has been restructured into phases. Phase One is nearing completion under the 2025–2026 budgetary provisions, while Phase Two—featuring concrete pavement construction—is expected to commence soon.
The Federal Government recently approved the second phase of the project covering approximately 129.3 kilometres at a cost of about ₦203 billion.
Ahmed reiterated that road infrastructure development remains a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of expanding and improving national infrastructure.
He noted that the government is also advancing four legacy road projects across the country, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, Calabar–Abuja Super Highway and the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road.
According to him, the projects are designed to transform connectivity, stimulate economic development across the six geopolitical zones and will feature concrete pavements, solar-powered street lighting and railway components.
Ahmed explained that the nationwide media tour was organised to promote transparency in government projects, enable journalists and professional bodies to verify the quality of work being executed and allow Nigerians to witness firsthand the progress in the delivery of critical infrastructure across the country.
