By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
Federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, efficiency and accountability in the execution of road projects, as anti-corruption agencies are currently reviewing ongoing contracts nationwide on the orders of Mr President.
Speaking during the reopening of the reinstated damaged flyover on Abuja–Keffi Expressway and Keffi-Nasarawa-Toto Road in Keffi, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu directed that all road projects be submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, “the verification exercise is an unprecedented step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in the governance of projects”.
The minister said, “We sent Mr President’s projects to ICPC immediately after I assumed office to go to all the states and verify. This is the first of its kind. We have also sent the same list to the EFCC.”
He added that the president had ordered a full assessment of road works across the 36 states and Abuja, with an online platform currently in the offing to enable the public track project status in real time.
The minister praised President Tinubu’s prompt intervention in restoring the damaged flyover, which suffered a major 20-metre structural failure earlier in the year.
“Within 24 hours, Mr President approved the release of funds for the reinstatement. It is unprecedented,” he stressed.
The flyover, now reconstructed with modern safety features including a twin gantry crash-prevention system on both sides of the approach, was delivered in just four months – far ahead of the typical industry timeline.”
During the inspection of ongoing works on the Abuja–Kano Dual Carriageway, on the same day, Engr Umahi provided updates on the redesigned concrete-pavement project.
He explained that the original design contained significant technical gaps, which required modification, adding that the adoption of Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement, CRCP, technology guarantees a longer lifespan and lower maintenance cost.
The minister dismissed claims of slow progress on the project, noting that the redesigned project is barely six months old. “This road is a priority legacy project of President Tinubu. What we have done within this period speaks for itself,” he added.
He explained that the federal government’s new “build–operate–maintain” model aims at ensuring sustainability and cost recovery on Public-Private-Partnership, PPP, projects.
“With concrete roads, maintenance costs are very minimal. What will come to government from tolling will therefore be higher. That is our return on investment,” Umahi revealed.
Opposition political party leaders, who joined the inspection tour, commended the pace, quality and transformation unfolding under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Otunba Segun Showunmi, said “within three months, this flyover is back and looking better. At this pace, our national infrastructure deficit will be defeated”.
On the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, representative of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dr Kanti Uthman, also said, “I passed here four months ago during the rains – there was no road. Today I am surprised. The quality is world-class.”
Representatives of Action Alliance, AA, Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, also praised the giant strides of the administration and urged the federal government to replicate the model on other critical routes.
Earlier, the technical crew confirmed that all major structural components of the Keffi Flyover are now in place.
The Federal Controller of Works, FCT, Engr Yakubu Usman, stated that “The damaged section had been reinstated and the deck, which was cast 29 days ago is ready for traffic.”
The Acting Director, Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr Musa Sa’idu, added that the new gantry system is already preventing further crashes and damage to the structure.
“Another trailer attempted to hit the flyover, but the gantry stopped it. The project is complete and ready for use,” he confirmed.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Rafiu Adeladan expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his untiring efforts towards repositioning road infrastructure through the dynamic leadership of Engr Umahi.
He assured that the ministry’s entire staff would continue to support the minister to meet the president’s mandate, noting that he had worked with him long enough to attest to his diligence, competence and exceptional leadership.
Also with the minister on the tour of duty were members of the Senate, Senior Special Assistant to the President, SSA-P, on Community Engagement and other stakeholders.
