The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has taken a bold and unprecedented step by formally inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of his ministry. This move aims to ensure total transparency and accountability in the execution of multi-billion naira road projects across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Umahi, a former governor known for his direct approach to governance, believes that involving anti-graft agencies will help eliminate the “ghost of corruption” that has haunted the ministry for decades.
The Minister made this announcement during a high-level briefing in Abuja, where he expressed his commitment to the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current administration. He noted that the public has often looked at the Ministry of Works with suspicion due to the high cost of road construction and the frequent failure of projects shortly after completion. By opening the books to the EFCC and ICPC, Umahi intends to prove that every kobo allocated to road infrastructure is being utilized efficiently and for its intended purpose.
Promoting a culture of transparency in infrastructure
Umahi emphasized that his invitation to the anti-graft agencies is not a sign of internal crisis but a proactive measure to safeguard the nation’s resources. He argued that the era of contractors collecting huge mobilization fees and disappearing from sites must come to a permanent end in Nigeria. The Minister wants the EFCC and ICPC to monitor the procurement processes and the actual physical verification of projects to ensure compliance with global standards.
The Ministry of Works currently oversees several landmark projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge. These projects involve massive financial outlays that require rigorous oversight to prevent any form of diversion or over-invoicing by middlemen. Umahi believes that when contractors know that the anti-graft agencies are watching, they will be more diligent in their service delivery.
Addressing the challenges of legacy road projects
Part of the Minister’s frustration stems from the large number of inherited projects that have remained stagnant for over ten to fifteen years. He noted that some of these contracts were awarded under questionable circumstances with vague terms that favored the contractors over the government. Umahi wants the investigators to look into these legacy contracts and determine why they have consistently failed to reach completion despite multiple budget cycles.
The Minister has introduced the use of concrete pavement technology as a way to increase the lifespan of Nigerian roads and reduce maintenance costs. However, this shift has met with some resistance from certain contractors who prefer the traditional asphalt methods. Umahi believes that a thorough probe by the ICPC will reveal the motives behind such resistance and help the ministry transition to more durable infrastructure solutions.
Strengthening the trust between government and citizens
One of the primary goals of this invitation is to restore the confidence of the Nigerian people in the ability of the government to deliver quality roads. Many citizens are tired of seeing “death traps” disguised as federal highways despite the huge sums of money mentioned in the news every year. Umahi argued that transparency is the only currency that can buy back the trust of the masses who bear the brunt of bad road networks.
The Minister’s move has been praised by several civil society organizations and transparency advocates who have long called for an audit of the ministry. They believe that this sets a new standard for other ministers to follow if they truly have nothing to hide from the public. Umahi has vowed to provide the anti-graft agencies with unrestricted access to all files, including those involving top officials within the ministry itself.
The role of the EFCC and ICPC in monitoring
The anti-graft agencies are expected to set up a dedicated task force that will work closely with the ministry’s engineering teams on the field. This collaboration will involve checking the quality of materials used and verifying that the thickness of the roads matches the specifications in the contract documents. The agencies will also investigate the bank accounts of contractors to ensure that funds are not being laundered or moved into private pockets.
Umahi believes that this “watchman” approach will eventually save the country trillions of naira that would have been lost to administrative leakages. He has warned that any official or contractor found wanting during these probes will face the full wrath of the law without any political interference. For the Minister, the goal is simple: to leave behind a legacy of motorable roads and a ministry that is beyond reproach.
