The Federal Government has officially launched emergency reconstruction efforts on the severely deteriorated Suleja-Minna Road following years of neglect and increasing fatalities due to its hazardous condition. This decisive action comes after mounting public pressure and direct intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
During an inspection visit to the site, Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, announced the immediate commencement of repairs on the most critical sections of the road. He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi; and notable Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Showunmi, among others.
Umahi revealed that the Federal Government had attempted for over 18 months to persuade the original contractor, Salini Nigeria Ltd, to resume work on the project. However, repeated efforts were unsuccessful.
“We’ve pursued this for a year and a half. Section 1, starting from the Abuja-Kano expressway, is in a disastrous condition. Frequent tanker and truck breakdowns have led to fatal accidents,” the Minister stated.
He explained that after inspecting the contractor’s preparedness and observing a lack of essential equipment on-site, the government had no choice but to terminate the contract. Consequently, the two most damaged segments of the road have been declared emergency projects and will be executed under special procurement procedures.
“This is emergency procurement,” Umahi emphasized. “Work begins first. Pricing will follow later, as verified by the Bureau of Public Procurement. Our engineers and those of the new contractor will jointly manage site preparation, while final design documentation will align with ongoing construction.”
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he noted that the Niger State Governor had personally raised the issue with President Tinubu, who promptly directed the Ministry of Works to take immediate action.
The State Government, under its urban renewal initiative, had earlier completed about 30km of the dual carriageway through China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The Federal Government has now approved the continuation of the remaining 71km under emergency terms with the same contractor.
“The total road span is 103km, of which 71km remains. That’s 142km of dual carriageway work in all. The Governor has done his part. Now the Federal Government is stepping in,” Umahi said. “The journey to Minna, which should take under two hours, now takes up to seven. This road is a known death trap.”
CCECC has been given 10 days to mobilize to site and commence work on the most dangerous 7km segment immediately. For clarity and accountability, Umahi instructed that the current state of the road be visually documented. “Once repairs are done, people forget how bad things were. We must preserve this history for public transparency.”
He added that Section 2 will be fully handed over to CCECC, while Section 1B will remain temporarily under the Ministry’s maintenance until both sides are fully motorable. The Minister also disclosed that rest stops, solar lighting, and security systems, including CCTV surveillance, would be integrated into the project to enhance safety.
PDP chieftain Segun Showunmi, who had earlier raised alarm about the state of the Suleja-Minna road along with three others — Abuja–Kaduna, Lagos–Calabar, and Sokoto–Badagry — praised the Minister’s prompt response.
“I commend the Ministry’s decision to act swiftly. To his credit, the Minister didn’t just listen — he invited me to witness the project status myself,” he said.
Showunmi, however, criticized some foreign contractors operating in Nigeria for delivering substandard work, noting that these same firms often build better roads abroad. “We must demand global standards, even here,” he insisted.
Responding to suggestions that his praise implied support for the current administration, Showunmi clarified: “My commendation is strictly for the Minister’s performance. It is not an endorsement of the entire administration. I remain constructively critical where necessary.”
He also called for a national shift in political behavior, stressing that infrastructure and governance should rise above partisanship. “Look at countries like China and the UAE — their success is built on collaboration across party lines. We must emulate that here.”
Reiterating his advocacy for governance-focused reforms, Showunmi proposed a bill to limit political campaigning to one year before general elections. “Endless politicking undermines governance. We must allow our leaders time to deliver and assess them based on results.”
Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi echoed similar sentiments, applauding President Tinubu and the Works Minister for prioritizing road infrastructure and taking a proactive supervisory role. “You are the only Minister of Works known to personally inspect projects regularly,” he remarked, highlighting the Minister’s commitment to quality and accountability.
Nwaebonyi also praised the administration’s broader infrastructure agenda, particularly the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, describing it as a strategic investment in national economic revival. “Infrastructure is a key driver of prosperity. The National Assembly stands ready to support initiatives that prioritize Nigerians’ welfare,” he stated.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, commended Showunmi’s hands-on approach, describing it as a model of constructive political engagement. “You didn’t stay behind a keyboard. You came out to see things for yourself — that’s commendable,” he said.
Goronyo emphasized that infrastructure is essential for national development and economic recovery. “We’re not just promising growth — it’s already happening. Nigerians must open their eyes to the progress being made.”
As emergency repairs on the Suleja-Minna road get underway, the project stands as a testament to bipartisan cooperation, government responsiveness, and the importance of infrastructure in national development.