We’ve Invited EFCC, ICPC To Probe FG’s Road Projects – Umahi

The minister of works David Umahi says the federal government’s road projects are open to scrutiny by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (ICPC and EFCC).

He insisted that operations within the ministry are transparent.

Umahi stated this yesterday in Abuja, while receiving a “Personality of the Year” Award from Al-Jazeera Newspaper Nigeria.

He said the ministry had written to the ICPC and EFCC to conduct independent investigations into federal road projects nationwide.

“We wrote to ICPC to go round and investigate all our projects, not on paper, but physically. We also wrote to EFCC. We are not hiding anything,” he said.

According to him, the ICPC has already concluded part of its assignment and is currently reviewing procurement processes within the ministry, while the EFCC is expected to begin its investigation after the Sallah break.

“There is nothing we do in the Ministry of Works that we cannot defend. Everything is done in the open,” Umahi added.

The minister explained that the ministry’s costing system allows for a detailed breakdown of materials and construction processes.

“If you ask me about any project cost, we can disaggregate it, cement, sand, chippings, equipment, everything is accounted for,” he said.

He noted that the shift from asphalt to concrete roads, though initially resisted, was in the public interest.

“We fought that battle because we believe concrete roads will last longer and serve Nigerians better,” he said.

Umahi added that poor road infrastructure restricts movement and economic activities.

“When a road is cut off, it is like putting people in prison. That is what we are trying to change,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the platform’s Chief Executive Officer, Williams Bassey, said the award followed a rigorous evaluation and peer-review process.

“After a month of rigorous evaluation and peer consultation, the committee unanimously selected David Umahi as Personality of the Year 2025 in the category of Infrastructure Transformation,” he said.

Bassey described Umahi as a public servant whose leadership has driven significant infrastructure improvements under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This honour recognises your remarkable strides in infrastructure development and your role in elevating road construction standards across the country,” he said.

He added that the organisation had conducted extensive investigations into allegations concerning the ministry’s operations, without finding any evidence of wrongdoing.

“In 2024, we deployed our highest level of investigative resources within and outside Nigeria, and no evidence of corruption was established,” Bassey concluded.