News
FG Deepens Transparency in Road Projects, Sets New Benchmarks for Speed and Quality
…Opens Keffi Flyover
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of road projects, with anti-corruption agencies currently reviewing all ongoing contracts nationwide.
Speaking during the reopening of the reinstated damaged flyover on the Abuja–Keffi Expressway and Keffi-Nasarawan Toto Road in Keffi on Thursday, 4th December 2025, the Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNATE, FNSE, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR 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). The verification exercise is an unprecedented step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in the governance of projects.
“We have 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,” Umahi said. He added that the President has ordered a full assessment of road works across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, with an online platform currently in the offing to enable the public to 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 typical industry timelines.
During an 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 costs. 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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What we have done within this period speaks for itself,” he added.
He further 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 the 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 People Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Otunba Segun Showunmi said that “Within three months this Flyover is back and looking better. At this pace, our national infrastructure deficit will be defeated.”
African Democratic Congress (ADC) representative, Dr. Kanti Uthman also has this to say on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, “I passed here four (4) months ago during the rains – there was no road. Today I am surprised. The quality is world-class.”
Representatives of the 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 has 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 completed and ready for use,” he confirmed.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his untiring efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s road infrastructure through the dynamic leadership of Engr. Umahi.
He assured that the Ministry’s entire staff will continue to support the Minister to meet the President’s mandate, noting that he has 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 Assistants to the President (SSA-P) on Community Engagement, and other stakeholders.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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