The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has initiated a three-week emergency rehabilitation for major federal highways to ensure their usability before the festive season and the January 2027 elections. This directive requires immediate action from ministry officials and contractors nationwide.
During a recent meeting at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, Umahi expressed his dissatisfaction with contractors prioritizing permanent road construction on some highways while other critical sections remain impassable. He mandated that emergency repairs take precedence where necessary during this rehabilitation period.
The scope of the intervention includes the excavation of damaged road sections, the replacement of ineffective materials, and the application of asphalt where needed. Rehabilitation of road shoulders and drainage systems is also required, with Umahi ensuring that any completed sections that have been stable for at least 21 days should be opened to traffic if deemed safe.
Umahi highlighted that the need for this emergency rehabilitation stems from the poor state of the road network inherited by the current administration. He noted that most major highways are in urgent need of repair, which is essential not only for the ease of travel but also for the movement of goods, support of security operations, and facilitation of election materials ahead of the upcoming elections.
The directive encompasses highways across all six geopolitical zones, notably the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road and critical sections in the North-East and North-West regions. Additionally, contractors are instructed to revisit previous projects to rectify any defects, even if the one-year defects liability period has expired.
To monitor progress, Umahi announced that a dedicated digital reporting platform will be established for officials to upload details about projects, including locations and any challenges faced. Failure to comply will result in immediate reporting of non-compliant contractors.
The minister reassured the commitment of the government to continue infrastructure projects, such as the 750-kilometre Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, underscoring that the reconstruction of the East-West Road would not jeopardize this significant initiative.
Umahi urged ministry officials and contractors to execute this emergency rehabilitation with urgency and dedication, emphasizing the necessity of delivering quality work to improve highway conditions for the public.
