Umahi Asks Anti-Graft Agencies To Verify Completed Road Projects

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi states that the Ministry has submitted a list of all ongoing and completed Federal road projects to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for verification.

The Minister disclosed this on Thursday while inspecting the Mararaba-Keffi road project in Abuja.

He attributed the gesture to “unprecedented transparency” under President Bola Tinubu.

He stated that he had personally written to the anti-corruption agencies, forwarding a comprehensive list of all projects executed by the ministry since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.

The anti-graft agency, according to him, has been tasked with verifying the projects across all states and the FCT physically.

“I love challenges. I would like to inform the public that I have written to the ICPC, and we have provided them with all the projects undertaken by the President in the Ministry of Works since the day he assumed office.

“We asked them to go through all the states of the federation and Abuja to verify these projects and make a decision. This is the first of its kind.

“Yesterday in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), I reported it to the president publicly, and I am thrilled to do this.”

Umahi said he has also sent the same list to EFCC, although he is not sure if they have deployed to all the states.

“We are very transparent in what we are doing under President Bola Tinubu. I enjoy my work because I love challenges. I love quality work.

“I love it when the people are happy, and God gave me a boss like no other boss. I enjoy working with the president.”

The Minister also praised President Bola Tinubu for his swift response to what he described as an “unfortunate incident” on the road in Nasarawa State.

According to Umahi, the state governor contacted him immediately after the incident, prompting him to brief the President within 24 hours, and he approved funds for the relevant project.

Umahi, while addressing concerns about outstanding payments to contractors, confirmed that the  President has set up a committee to review all debts owed by the Works Ministry.

He appealed to contractors to halt protests, assuring them of imminent payment.

“Let me assure our contractors that the President recognised that you are being owed.

“He set up a committee to review all the debts. Please, no more protests. You will be paid before 20 December, you will be paid.”

Umahi specifically mentioned China Harbour and two contractors handling the Keffi–Mararaba corridor, acknowledging that they were yet to receive payment, but assured them that funds had been approved.

The minister commended CGC for what he described as excellent work, noting that President Tinubu had already released 100 per cent of their due funds.

He also hailed JRB for performing excellently in delivering quality road projects, noting that they performed better than some international companies.

Also speaking was Dr Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement for the North Central region, who reaffirmed the President’s commitment to road infrastructure.

Essiet said that CCTV would be installed along the Keffi-Mararaba road to boost security during the Christmas season, ensuring that people travel safely.

She commended the president for appointing the minister to head the Ministry, adding that he and the Ministry’s staff are committed to delivering the president’s mandate.