The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed Federal Controllers of Works across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to intensify supervision of federal road and bridge projects to ensure quality and timely delivery.
Umahi gave the directive during a strategic meeting with the Federal Controllers at the Ministry’s headquarters.
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He urged the Controllers to take greater ownership of projects under their jurisdiction, describing them as the Ministry’s representatives at the sub-national level and critical to effective project monitoring and delivery.
The Minister also called for stronger engagement with state governments, contractors, traditional institutions, community groups and other stakeholders to promptly identify and address challenges affecting project execution.
He stressed the need for effective communication alongside infrastructure delivery, saying Nigerians should have access to accurate information on the location, scope, progress and expected benefits of ongoing and completed federal projects.
Umahi directed the Controllers to remain physically present at project sites, monitor contractors closely and ensure compliance with approved specifications, quality standards and contractual obligations.
“Go hard on the contractors. Go straight to the site, not sit in the office. The sites need your extra attention to ensure quality and timely delivery,” he told the officials.
He further directed the Controllers to proactively resolve legitimate technical and construction challenges within existing contractual provisions, including appropriate applications of provisions contained in the Bill of Quantities and contingencies.
The Minister, however, warned that such provisions must not be exploited to create unnecessary work or additional expenditure, stressing that every adjustment must be technically justified, properly documented and approved.
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He said professional and timely decisions were essential to preventing unnecessary cost increases and prolonged construction periods, which could worsen difficulties faced by road users.
Umahi also announced plans for continuous capacity building for technical personnel involved in project monitoring and evaluation, urging officers to remain abreast of international construction practices, contract administration and project management procedures.
The Minister called for a stronger infrastructure communication strategy across the states and the FCT, including project information signages, media engagements, documentaries, radio and television jingles, project tours and community-level communication.
He urged the Controllers not to compromise professional standards or overlook deficiencies in project execution, stressing that effective supervision requires diligence, courage and commitment to public interest.
Umahi also called for closer collaboration between Federal Controllers, Zonal Directors and Coordinating Directors to improve communication and speed up decision-making on project-related challenges.
He said the Ministry would continue to focus on removing avoidable obstacles to project delivery and urged officials to approach their responsibilities with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
The Minister emphasised that the interests of road users and host communities must remain at the centre of the Ministry’s activities, noting that the success of infrastructure projects should ultimately be measured by their impact on mobility, economic activities and citizens’ quality of life.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Rafiu Adeladan, commended Umahi’s commitment to improving infrastructure delivery and urged the Federal Controllers to remain dedicated to their responsibilities.
The meeting, attended by the six Zonal and Highways Coordinating Directors, also featured an interactive session on project supervision, stakeholder engagement, community relations and infrastructure communication.
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Umahi urged the Controllers to work collectively with contractors, consultants, state governments and communities to ensure that federal road and bridge projects are delivered according to approved standards and deadlines.