The Federal Government has ordered emergency reconstruction work on the severely deteriorated Suleja-Minna Road, following years of neglect that have turned the strategic 103km stretch into a death trap for motorists.
The directive was given by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during an inspection tour on Saturday. He was joined by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, Senate Committee on Works Chairman, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Showunmi.
Umahi revealed that repeated efforts over the last 18 months to get Salini Nigeria Ltd, the original contractor, back on site had failed. “Section 1, starting from the Abuja-Kano highway, is in terrible shape, with tankers and trucks constantly breaking down, causing fatal accidents,” he said.
Immediate Intervention Underway
Declaring the two worst-hit portions of the road as emergency zones, the Ministry is now invoking emergency procurement protocols to fast-track construction work. The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has been assigned to commence work immediately on a critical 7km section.
“This road has been declared an emergency. We are documenting its current condition for transparency because once fixed, people tend to forget how bad it was,” Umahi said.
According to the Minister, President Bola Tinubu personally directed the intervention following appeals from the Governor of Niger State. The state had already completed a 30km portion of the dual carriageway as part of its urban renewal plan.
“What’s left is a 71km dual carriageway—totaling 142km of construction work. A journey that should take less than two hours now takes seven. This corridor is a known death trap,” Umahi added.
CCECC Gets 10-Day Mobilization Deadline
CCECC is expected to mobilize within 10 days, with joint site leveling to be done by their engineers and officials from the Ministry of Works. Umahi clarified that pricing will follow the commencement of work and be verified by the Bureau of Public Procurement, in line with emergency rules.
He also confirmed that Section 2 of the road has been fully awarded to CCECC, while Section 1B will be temporarily maintained to ensure one motorable carriageway. Planned features include solar lighting, CCTV surveillance, and rest areas to enhance security and comfort.
Bipartisan Applause and Constructive Oversight
Responding to the government’s quick action, PDP stalwart Segun Showunmi praised the move as “timely and commendable,” stating he had personally raised concerns with the Minister about four major roads: Suleja-Minna, Abuja–Kaduna, Lagos–Calabar, and Sokoto–Badagry.
“Seeing this progress firsthand confirms that something is finally being done,” Showunmi said, while stressing that his commendation was specific to the Minister’s performance—not an endorsement of the administration.
“We must move past politics when it comes to national development. Other countries achieve greatness by working across party lines. Nigeria should do the same.”
Showunmi also proposed legislation to limit campaign windows to one year before elections, arguing that “constant political bickering distracts from governance.”
Senators, Stakeholders Applaud Project Transparency
Senator Nwaebonyi lauded Umahi’s proactive leadership and frequent site visits, describing him as “the only Minister of Works known for personally inspecting projects.”
He also praised the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, calling it “central to Nigeria’s economic revival.”
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, in his remarks, applauded Showunmi’s bipartisan oversight: “This is the political maturity Nigeria needs—investigative opposition that builds, not just criticizes.”
He urged Nigerians to stay informed and vigilant: “Infrastructure drives prosperity. Economic recovery is in motion. The signs are clear—you just have to look.”
