Emergency Repairs Ordered for Major Federal Highways Ahead of Festive Season

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced a three-week emergency repair plan for major federal highways in Nigeria. This initiative aims to make critical roads usable before the festive season and the upcoming January 2027 elections.

Umahi issued the order during a meeting with officials at the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja. He expressed frustration with contractors who were focusing on long-term construction while other parts of the same roads remained in poor condition. He emphasized that emergency repairs should take precedence over permanent work when necessary.

The repairs will involve digging up damaged road sections, replacing bad materials, and applying new layers of asphalt where needed. Road shoulders and drainage systems will also be fixed, and sections that have been completed for at least 21 days will be opened to traffic if safe.

Umahi noted that the current administration inherited a badly damaged road network, with many highways needing immediate attention. He pointed out that motorists often face potholes and failed road sections during their travels. The minister mentioned improvements in security along the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria Road, which has seen no reported kidnappings in two years.

The repair directive covers highways in all six geopolitical zones, including major routes like Sokoto–Zamfara and Enugu–Port Harcourt. Umahi also instructed contractors to revisit previously completed projects to fix any defects, stressing that poor-quality work should not be ignored.

To ensure accountability, a digital reporting platform will be set up for officials to track project progress and challenges. Umahi reiterated that the focus should be on the actual condition of the roads rather than financial aspects.

He also reassured that the Federal Government remains committed to the 750-kilometre Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, dismissing concerns that other projects would interfere with it. Umahi expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to deliver on infrastructure projects and urged officials to take the emergency repairs seriously.