…Says no comptroller should go on holidays
By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has ordered that sections of major highways be left open for the holiday season.
The Minister who issued a stern warning to the contractors handling Federal road projects against arbitrarily closing construction sites, stated that, “You don’t just close and open sites at will. The Ministry must know if you intend to close any section. That is what the contract says and that is what the procedure says.”
The Minister issued this warning yesterday, during an emergency meeting with Contractors and Senior Officials of the Ministry in Abuja.
He reiterated that the terms and procedures of existing contracts mandate contractors to obtain ministerial clearance before closing any project site.
Umahi explained that some highways are too critical to national mobility and economic activities to be closed under any circumstances, especially during peak travel periods such as the Christmas and New Year season.
According to the Minister, strategic routes including Abuja–Kano, Ife–Ibadan, Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina, Enugu–Onitsha, Enugu–Port Harcourt and Lokoja–Abuja must remain open to traffic at all times.
“These are key national corridors. Abuja–Kano cannot close. Ife–Ibadan cannot close. Lokoja–Abuja cannot close. So no site will be closed without our permission,” he said.
Umahi noted that the directive was aimed at reducing hardship for road users, improving traffic flow during the festive period and ensuring better coordination between contractors and the government.
The Minister assured that the ministry would intensify monitoring of road projects nationwide and engage directly with contractors on-site to enforce safety standards and compliance with contractual obligations.
Emphasising the need for empathy in project execution, Umahi criticised contractors who disregard the welfare of road users, warning that construction work must not unnecessarily disrupt public movement.
“We have to ensure that human feelings are respected while doing this work. You can’t just treat people any other way. If you are doing work, the first assignment is to ensure that traffic is free,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, said he would prevail on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to intensify road maintenance across the country.
He stressed that his focus would be on rehabilitating and maintaining roads rather than commissioning projects that do not directly address Nigerians’ immediate needs.
“I will not go back to commissioning solar lights whereas there are bad roads. I will continue to commission roads maintained by FERMA,” Goronyo said.
He added that FERMA was entering a “new era” marked by rigorous work, field engagement and innovative solutions, noting that Nigerians were tired of excuses and demanded visible results.
“Nigerians will be proud and happy that Mr President is working and showing leadership through improved road infrastructure,” he said.
