RismadarVoice Reporters
November 15, 2026
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given zonal directors and supervising officials three weeks to make major federal highways motorable ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
Umahi issued the directive during a meeting with senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja on Friday, November 13.
According to a statement from the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the minister ordered the urgent rehabilitation of failed road sections nationwide.
He said some contractors were focusing on permanent construction projects while other parts of the same highways remained impassable.
Umahi insisted that immediate repairs must take priority where necessary to reduce hardship for motorists and ensure safer movement of passengers and goods.
The emergency interventions will include pothole filling, removal of damaged road sections, application of sharp sand, stone base, cement stabilisation and asphalt resurfacing, depending on road conditions.
Among the highways identified for urgent attention are Abuja–Lokoja, Mararaba–Keffi, Kano–Katsina, Keffi–Makurdi, Makurdi–Enugu, Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Bauchi–Gombe and the East-West Road.
Others include Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto, Kano–Shuwarin, Warri–Oleh and the Benin Bypass.
In the South-East, the minister directed immediate attention to Enugu–Port Harcourt, Enugu–Aba, Abakaliki–Enugu and Aba–Port Harcourt roads.
Umahi instructed contractors handling the affected highways to cooperate with ministry officials and undertake necessary repairs without delay.
He warned that contractors who failed to comply would be reported for appropriate action.
The minister also directed zonal directors to personally inspect projects and submit detailed reports on road conditions, work completed, outstanding challenges and contractors’ commitments.
To strengthen supervision, he ordered the establishment of a dedicated WhatsApp reporting platform for monitoring rehabilitation activities across the country.
The platform will enable officials to provide updates on project locations, contractors, identified problems and recommended interventions.
Umahi further directed that dangerous bridges and roads cut off by severe damage should receive urgent attention without unnecessary administrative delays.
He assured officials that the ministry would provide logistical support to facilitate field operations.
The minister also announced plans to begin inspection visits across the zones on Monday, November 16, to assess compliance and evaluate the performance of supervising officers.
The three-week directive is intended to improve road conditions before increased travel during the festive period.
However, the exercise focuses on emergency rehabilitation rather than the completion of all ongoing federal highway reconstruction projects.
