Umahi Warns Contractors as FG Scrambles for ₦3 Trillion to Finish Vital Roads

The Federal Government has disclosed that it will require approximately ₦3 trillion to complete various road projects initially financed through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) tax credit scheme. This revelation was made by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a media briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

According to the minister, the NNPCL ceased funding for the ongoing road infrastructure projects as of August 1, 2025. He emphasized that despite this development, the President has directed the ministry to seek alternative financing models to ensure that no critical infrastructure project is abandoned.

Highlighting the administration’s commitment, Umahi stated that the ministry has already compiled a comprehensive inventory of the affected projects, which will be forwarded to the Presidency. He added that the projects may be repackaged under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks, prioritizing contractors who can demonstrate both financial capability and technical competence.

The Minister issued a strong warning to contractors who have failed to mobilize to project sites, noting that delays or strategic inaction aimed at triggering termination clauses would not be tolerated. He assured the public that any contractor removed from a project would be replaced within a week to avoid stagnation.

Umahi reiterated the commitment of the current administration to timely and durable infrastructure delivery, in alignment with the President’s broader agenda. He stressed that the ministry remains fully dedicated to upholding transparency, accountability, and prompt execution of all road projects across the nation.