UMAHI DIRECTS FEDERAL CONTROLLERS TO INTENSIFY ROAD PROJECT SUPERVISION, PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has directed Federal Controllers of Works in the 36 states and the FCT to intensify supervision of Federal road and bridge projects, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and ensure Nigerians are adequately informed about ongoing and completed infrastructure interventions in their states.
The Minister gave the directive on Tuesday, 12 August 2026, during a strategic interaction with the Controllers at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. He emphasized that their responsibilities extend beyond routine administrative duties, as they are the Ministry’s representatives at the sub-national level.
“You are critical to ensuring that projects are properly supervised, challenges are promptly addressed, and the public is constantly informed,” he said. He therefore urged the Controllers to take greater ownership of projects under their jurisdiction and to build stronger working relationships with state governments, contractors, traditional institutions, community groups, and the media.
Engr. Umahi insisted that effective communication must complement effective project delivery. He noted that road users and citizens should have access to clear and factual information on projects, including their locations, scope, implementation status, and expected benefits.
The Minister charged the Controllers to be physically present at project sites, identify and resolve construction challenges early, and ensure that contractors adhere to approved specifications, quality standards, and contractual obligations.
He also directed them to be proactive in resolving technical issues within the provisions of existing contracts, explaining that legitimate provisions in the Bill of Quantities and Contingencies should be properly understood and applied in line with contractual conditions where adjustments are required to facilitate efficient delivery.
However, the Minister cautioned that such provisions must not be used to create unnecessary work or additional expenditure for contractors. “Every adjustment must be technically justified, properly documented, approved, and directed towards achieving value for money and improved project outcomes,” he stated.
Engr. Umahi further stressed the importance of professional judgement and timely decision-making, noting that unnecessary delays in addressing legitimate project challenges could increase costs, prolong construction, and worsen difficulties for road users.
He promised continuous capacity building for technical personnel involved in project monitoring and evaluation, adding that officers who require additional training would be exposed to relevant opportunities to strengthen their competencies in international best practices, contract administration, and project management.
“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,” the Minister directed.
He further directed the Controllers to strengthen public awareness of projects through a robust infrastructure communication plan. This, he said, should include strategically located project signages, media engagements, documentaries, radio and television jingles, project tours, and community-level communication. He warned against compromising professional standards or overlooking deficiencies in project execution.
Engr. Umahi called for stronger collaboration between Federal Controllers, Zonal and Coordinating Directors, noting that regular communication and coordinated actions would improve the speed and quality of decision-making and assured them of the Ministry’s commitment to removing avoidable obstacles to project delivery.
He urged the Controllers to place the interests of road users and host communities at the centre of their work. “When you put the people first, you are putting God first,” he asserted, urging them to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, diligence, and compassion.
The Minister concluded by urging the Controllers to ensure projects are executed according to specifications, that contractors remain accountable, and that Nigerians are kept adequately and consistently informed about infrastructure interventions by the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, commended the Minister for his commitment to improving infrastructure delivery. He also reminded the Federal Controllers to remain dedicated to their responsibilities and support the Ministry’s efforts towards improved project supervision, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of quality infrastructure nationwide.
He disclosed that Zonal Directors and other key Directors would hold a follow-up meeting to address operational details and implementation modalities.
In a statement, Mohammed Ahmed, the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Communications, disclosed tha.
B. t the meeting, attended by the six Zonal and Highways Coordinating Directors, also featured an interactive session on project supervision, community engagement, and communication strategies.
