Minister Umahi Directs Federal Contractors to Halts Project Shutdowns
The Federal Government has issued a firm directive to curb the long standing practice of suspending construction activities during the festive season, mandating federal road contractors to resume work and maintain an active presence on critical project sites nationwide. The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the directive at an emergency meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He attributed the recurrent traffic congestion experienced during the Christmas and New Year periods to the habitual closure of construction sites and warned that the practice would no longer be tolerated.
In a major policy shift, the Minister announced the suspension of all holiday plans for Directors and Federal Controllers of Works. Under a newly introduced field focused supervision framework, senior officials are required to remain on site to directly oversee construction activities and ensure that ongoing works do not impede traffic flow. Senator Umahi stressed that the era of office based supervision had ended, explaining that only the Minister and the Permanent Secretary would remain at the headquarters, while other top officials manage critical road corridors on the ground.
The Ministry has also designated several priority corridors where contractors are expressly prohibited from shutting down sites without written approval. These include the Abuja Lokoja Expressway, a major link between the northern and southern regions, as well as the Enugu Onitsha and Enugu Port Harcourt Expressways in the Southeast. Other affected routes are the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, particularly the remaining 12 kilometre section and associated flyovers, strategic corridors across Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states, and the Ife Ibadan Road in the Southwest.
Addressing funding challenges in the sector, Senator Umahi disclosed that the current administration inherited a debt burden of ₦2.13 trillion owed to local contractors. To address the issue, a verification committee chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima has been established to audit outstanding claims. Contractors have been directed to submit their certificates for verification beginning January 5, 2026. According to the Minister, the exercise is designed to ensure transparency, eliminate unverified claims, and permanently remove abandoned or non existent projects from the national budget.
The Minister further reiterated the government’s commitment to modernizing road construction standards through the adoption of rigid concrete pavement as a replacement for asphalt. He noted that concrete roads offer significantly longer durability, with an average lifespan of up to 50 years compared to about 15 years for asphalt. To strengthen oversight and reduce bureaucratic delays, the Ministry is also introducing digital zonal portals that will require contractors to upload real time project updates, valuations, and certifications. This system is expected to reduce assessment timelines to less than 48 hours.
The Federal Government has additionally warned that any advance payments retained by contractors without corresponding site activity will be recovered through financial institutions where necessary. As the 2025 festive season progresses, the government has made it clear that improved road conditions and uninterrupted construction work remain central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, with public safety, mobility, and accountability taking priority over seasonal shutdowns.
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