The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced on Wednesday that federal road projects under his purview are fully transparent and subject to examination by anti-corruption bodies. He asserted that the Ministry of Works operates with utmost openness.
Speaking in Abuja during the "Personality of the Year" award ceremony organised by Aljazirah Newspaper, Nigeria, Umahi revealed that the ministry had formally contacted the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The invitation was extended for them to carry out independent audits of federal road projects across the country.
"There is nothing we do in the Ministry of Works that we cannot defend. And I know that to change from asphalt to predominantly concrete, you know, we fought a battle. And that is why there is no battle that we are afraid of, provided that God is with you and that you put God and the people before any other interest.
"Let me tell you something. We wrote to ICPC to go around and investigate all our projects. Not on paper, but to go around and investigate the physical accomplishment of what the president is doing. We also wrote to EFCC. Now, ICPC has concluded their own.
"And we are giving them a space here to check our procurement processes. They have started their work. Nobody is interfering. I’m told that EFCC will start their own after the Sallah. We are not hiding anything because we feel for the people," he stated.
Umahi further elaborated that the ICPC had completed a portion of its investigation and was currently reviewing the ministry's procurement procedures. He added that the EFCC was scheduled to commence its own inquiry following the Sallah festivities.
The minister highlighted that the ministry's costing methodology allows for a detailed breakdown of all materials and construction phases involved in projects.
"If you ask me about any project cost, we can disaggregate it: Cement, sand, chippings, equipment everything is accounted for," he confirmed.
He mentioned that the transition from asphalt to concrete road construction, despite initial opposition, was undertaken in the public's best interest. "We fought that battle because we believe concrete roads will last longer and serve Nigerians better," he remarked.
According to the minister, inadequate road infrastructure hinders both 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 explained, emphasizing that concrete roads are designed for a lifespan of up to 100 years with minimal to no maintenance requirements.
"And whatever road that we are building now, mostly on concrete, is going to last 100 years, and there will be no maintenance," Umahi underscored.
Williams Bassey, the Chief Executive Officer of Aljazirah Newspaper, stated that the award was the result of a thorough evaluation and peer review process.
"After months of rigorous evaluation and peer consultation, the committee unanimously selected David Umahi as ‘Personality of the Year 2025’ in the category of Infrastructure Transformation," Bassey announced.
Bassey characterised Umahi as a public servant whose leadership has significantly contributed to infrastructure development 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 added.
He also noted that the organisation had conducted extensive investigations into allegations concerning the ministry's operations but found no evidence of misconduct. "In 2024, we deployed our highest level of investigative resources within and outside Nigeria, and no evidence of corruption was established," Bassey affirmed.
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