By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Federal Government has introduced a funding prioritisation framework to ensure uninterrupted progress on critical road projects earlier financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the East-West Road (Section IIIA), from Eleme Junction to Onne Junction in Rivers State on September 9, 2025.
He said the initiative follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all inherited NNPCL-funded projects must continue without delay.
“Mr President has graciously directed that none of such works should stop. We are going to prioritise the most critical projects and push them forward for immediate funding,” Umahi stated.
Umahi revealed that a list of all inherited NNPCL projects had been submitted to the President, with priority placed on roads along key national economic corridors such as the Eleme-Onne route.
The minister also warned contractors against substandard practices, particularly the failure to promptly apply wearing courses over binder layers.
He directed federal controllers to intensify supervision and announced that contracts below ₦20 billion would no longer be awarded to expatriate firms, citing the ministry’s “Nigeria First policy.” Offenders, he warned, would be reported to anti-graft agencies.
While commending Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), for quality work, Umahi criticized the project’s pace and ruled out any extension beyond the December 15, 2025 completion date.
“The quality is excellent, but the pace is not acceptable. This project can never be reviewed by a kobo,” he stressed.
Umahi also condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on federal highways, especially along the Aba-Port Harcourt corridor, saying the practice destroys pavements.
He pledged to work with state governments and the Inspector-General of Police to curb the menace.
Rivers State Controller of Works, Mrs. Enwereama Tarilade, reported that RCC had completed 15km of the Eket-bound carriageway and begun work on the Port Harcourt-bound lane, with 1km paved using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).
