President Bola Tinubu has moved to end the uncertainty surrounding several major road construction projects financed through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Tax Credit Scheme.
The President directed immediate payments to contractors handling the affected projects, following growing concerns from construction firms and state governments over delayed funding that threatened to disrupt vital infrastructure work.
Speaking in Abuja, Minister of Works David Umahi conveyed Tinubu’s message during a meeting with contractors. He assured them of the government’s full commitment to ensuring the continuity of the projects, many of which are considered crucial to Nigeria’s transportation and economic networks.
Umahi said all outstanding payments for certified work done before August 1, 2025, would be settled, and contractors working on concession-bound roads would receive their full entitlements before any project is transferred to a new operator.
He also instructed all contractors and field officers to return to their sites without delay, adding that updated project documents — including revised scopes for major roads like the Lokoja–Benin Dual Carriageway — must be submitted within seven days.
To strengthen transparency and oversight, a committee comprising key directors from the Federal Ministry of Works has been set up to verify and collate all project data. The ministry will also deploy teams across the six geopolitical zones to inspect ongoing projects and commission completed ones.
In addition, projects valued above ₦10 billion are to be documented separately to enhance financial accountability. Umahi warned that any unresolved payment issues after the deadline would be escalated.
He reaffirmed the administration’s zero tolerance for mismanagement, emphasizing that this renewed push is part of the broader drive to deliver sustainable infrastructure under the Renewed Hope agenda.
“We are building with integrity and in the best interest of Nigerians,” he said. “Every contractor must see this as a national assignment, and we welcome public scrutiny of our work.”
