Umahi Orders Emergency Rehabilitation of Major Highways Nationwide Ahead of Festive Season
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed Zonal Directors, Federal Controllers of Works and other supervising engineers to urgently rehabilitate failed sections of major federal highways across the country ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
Umahi gave the directive on Friday, November 13, 2026, during a strategic meeting with the Ministry’s Coordinating Directors for Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Bridges and Design, as well as Zonal Directors.
He stressed that ensuring the motorability of major highways must take priority over ongoing permanent construction projects, particularly as increased vehicular movement is expected during the festive period.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with situations where contractors concentrate on permanent construction works while other sections of the same roads remain impassable.
He consequently directed the Zonal Directors to return to the field immediately and ensure that major highways are made motorable within three weeks through urgent palliative interventions.
The interventions, according to him, should include removing failed road sections, filling potholes and applying sharp sand, stone base, cement stabilisation, binder and wearing courses, depending on the condition of the affected roads.
Umahi explained that the directive was aimed at reducing the hardship faced by motorists and other road users, noting that the Federal Government inherited several deteriorated roads requiring urgent attention.
He acknowledged the funding and infrastructural challenges confronting the Ministry but maintained that practical measures must be taken to provide immediate relief to Nigerians while permanent construction works continue.
Among the highways identified for urgent intervention are Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto, Mararaba–Keffi, Abuja–Lokoja, Kano–Katsina, Keffi–Makurdi, Makurdi–Enugu, East-West Road, Benin Bypass, Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Warri–Oleh, Kano–Shuwarin and Bauchi–Gombe roads.
He also specifically directed the immediate rehabilitation of major highways in the South-East, including Enugu–Port Harcourt, Enugu–Aba, Abakaliki–Enugu, Abakaliki–Gojia and Aba–Port Harcourt roads.
The Minister instructed contractors handling the affected projects to cooperate fully with the Ministry’s field officers and undertake the necessary emergency repairs.
He warned that contractors who fail to comply with the directive must be reported immediately, assuring that appropriate action would be taken against those found wanting.
Umahi further directed Zonal Directors to personally inspect projects and submit comprehensive reports detailing road conditions, work progress, challenges, contractors’ commitments and required interventions.
To strengthen monitoring and coordination, he ordered the establishment of a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which officers would submit real-time reports identifying responsible personnel, project locations, contractors and outstanding challenges.
The Minister also announced that he would begin visits to the various zones from Monday to assess compliance and evaluate the performance of Zonal Directors and other supervising officers.
Addressing concerns over failed road sections without contractors currently working on them, Umahi directed that such locations be reported immediately for urgent government intervention.
He noted that emergencies involving bridges at risk of collapse or roads completely cut off required immediate attention rather than delays caused by bureaucratic procedures.
He assured the officers that the Ministry would engage competent contractors to handle such emergencies while securing the necessary presidential approvals and funding.
To support the exercise, Umahi promised adequate logistical assistance, including accommodation, fuelling and vehicle hire where necessary.
He emphasised that the assignment should be seen as a collective responsibility rather than a punitive exercise, adding that outstanding performance by the various zones would attract special recognition and awards.
The Minister reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improving road infrastructure nationwide, urging all supervising officers to demonstrate urgency, dedication and accountability.
He warned that there would be no excuses for failure to implement the directive, particularly as Nigerians prepare for increased travel during the festive season and the early-year electoral period.
