Media Tour Of Federal Road Projects Shows Accountability – NUJ Chair

By Tarkaa David and Zuleihat Chata, Abuja

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Ms Grace Ike, has commended the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for engaging journalists in an on-the-spot assessment of ongoing road projects, describing the move as a strong signal of transparency and accountability.

Ike spoke after a media tour of the Nyanya–Mararaba–Keffi road corridor, a critical axis linking the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa State.

According to her, the expansion of the road has long dominated national discourse due to heavy traffic congestion and the hardship commuters face.

She said “I’m particularly happy with the ongoing construction, knowing full well that the expansion of this particular road has been on the front burner of national discourse.

“I believe this is going to ameliorate the suffering of the common man. It will ease congestion, reduce travel time and create opportunities for economic development, not just for the people of Nasarawa and its environs, but Nigeria at large.”

She, however, stressed the need for proper maintenance and adherence to standards.

She said, “Well-built and properly maintained roads directly impact safety. Aside safety, they also ensure commerce and improve the daily lives of citizens. Quality matters so much. They must not go against the standard,”.

On the minister’s decision to invite journalists to inspect the projects firsthand, the NUJ chairman described it as commendable.

“We are stakeholders in the development of the nation and partners in progress. I think that’s the reason they decided to take journalists on this tour,” she said.

“As the representative of the media community in the FCT, I decided to join the tour to see for myself. For you to hold the government accountable, it goes beyond interviews and press releases. He wants you to go see for yourself and report for yourself. That’s the essence of it.”

Ike noted that the initiative demonstrates the minister’s willingness, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, to subject his work to public scrutiny.

“This is the first time I’m seeing somebody say, ‘Go check my work and give a report.’ Transparency means you are holding them accountable and speaking truth to power,” she added.

Meanwhile, commuters along the Nyanya–Mararaba road corridor also expressed optimism over the ongoing reconstruction.

A civil servant, Mathew Daniel, who spoke along the Nyanya–Mararaba road, said he was impressed by the pace of work and the potential impact on residents and businesses.

“I will express my feelings to the federal government of Nigeria, especially to His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, who pinned down this road. In fact, he worked it from here to Nasarawa State,” Daniel said.

Describing the road as a major economic corridor, he noted that its previous dilapidated state had led to loss of lives and economic setbacks.

“Due to the dilapidation of this road, it has cost so much life. But with this development, if this road is put in order, moving from Nasarawa, especially as it is very close to Abuja, the city centre will be freer and the road will be free,” he said.

Daniel added that residents who had earlier relocated due to the poor condition of the road were beginning to return, with commercial activities gradually picking up in the area.

“Business and economy, commercially, is restoring and boosting within the zone. We want to see more of this. We want to see more commitment. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The tour also featured the commissioning of a special intervention project in Bwari Area Council, part of an emergency works programme initiated in 2024 to address critically failed sections of roads nationwide. The 1.1-kilometre Child Care Trust Road, awarded to Gerawa Global Engineering Limited in February 2024 and completed within three months, included pavement rehabilitation, drainage construction and asphalt overlay.

The project was among priority interventions identified from over 2,000 inherited projects, many stalled due to funding constraints and debt overhang, and is expected to boost safety and economic activities within Bwari and adjoining communities.

Representing the Minister of Works at the ceremony, the NUJ chairperson, Grace Ike, formally commissioned the project, describing it as evidence of the federal government’s commitment to restoring key road infrastructure.