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Umahi Vows to Quit if Road Project Fails Independent Quality Test

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Works Minister Umahi orders autopsy, rejects secrecy claims over aide's death
Works Minister David Umahi

Umahi Vows to Quit if Road Project Fails Independent Quality Test

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has pledged to resign if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road project does not meet required quality standards after independent testing. Umahi made the bold declaration while defending the Federal Ministry of Works’ ₦3.4 trillion budget proposal before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, stressing accountability and the importance of high-quality infrastructure delivery.

During the session, lawmakers raised concerns over the award of a section of the highway to a company reportedly unfamiliar in road construction, with some questioning the firm’s reputation and previous experience. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) asked why the contract was withdrawn from a previously established contractor and awarded to another company allegedly linked to unrelated businesses like generator sales.

Responding to the concerns, Umahi dismissed criticisms about the contractor’s background and emphasized the quality of workmanship above public perception. “I’m just hearing about Maikano for the first time. Whether they are selling goats or cows, they are doing well. I am satisfied with the quality of work on the Abuja–Kaduna stretch, and I challenge you to an inspection. Bring the best of your concrete testers. If it fails, I will throw in the towel,” the minister said.

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The minister further highlighted that proper supervision and engineering oversight are key to durable infrastructure, stressing that failures in asphalt or concrete roads often stem from poor monitoring rather than the choice of material.

Budget Defence and Funding Concerns

Umahi also used the National Assembly session to raise concerns about the capital funding structure for federal projects, describing the cash plan adopted by the Federal Ministry of Finance as limiting the effectiveness of the Ministry of Works. He noted that over 95% of projects under his supervision are ongoing, making consistent and adequate capital releases critical for timely completion and quality assurance.

The budget defence session was marked by tension, with lawmakers and the minister engaging in heated exchanges over procedural conduct and lines of questioning. At one point, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North Central) objected to attempts to curtail his remarks, while senior lawmakers, including Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), intervened to restore order.

Strategic Importance of the Highway

The Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road is a key federal transport corridor connecting central and northern Nigeria. The project aims to enhance trade, freight movement, and regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve road safety for commuters and commercial operators. Sections of the highway were reassigned to new contractors to expedite completion and ensure long-lasting infrastructure standards.

Umahi’s public pledge to resign if the project fails independent testing reflects a rare commitment to accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s federal infrastructure projects. Experts say such a stance could set a precedent for rigorous quality assurance and oversight across similar national initiatives.

Umahi Vows to Quit if Road Project Fails Independent Quality Test

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Four-Storey Building Collapses in Enugu, Workers Trapped Inside

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An early-morning building collapse in Enugu has left one person dead and four others injured after a four-storey structure under construction suddenly gave way in the Independence Layout area of the state.

 

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on Sunday on Ogbalu Street, where workers were reportedly sleeping inside the construction site when the building collapsed.

Four workers were pulled from the debris alive and taken to the Enugu State Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.

Enugu collapsed building

Authorities said six people had been sleeping at the site before the incident, but one of them had reportedly stepped out shortly before the structure came down. The body of another victim was recovered from the rubble.

 

The rescue operation has drawn the involvement of several emergency and security agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Red Cross Society, State Emergency Management Agency, Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority and the Police.

Officials are still working at the scene to determine whether anyone else may be trapped beneath the debris.

The cause of the collapse remains unknown as of the time of reporting.

The incident has also renewed questions about compliance with construction standards, site safety and the effectiveness of regulatory monitoring in Enugu.

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Adeleke Orders Arrests After Associate Ajagungbade Is Reportedly Killed in Ife

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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed security agencies to arrest anyone found to have been involved in the reported killing of his associate, Olamilekan Ajagungbade, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade.

Ajagungbade was reportedly shot dead in Ile-Ife on Sunday amid a dispute connected to the leadership of a motor park.

Reacting to the incident, Adeleke ordered Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura to take immediate action against those responsible. The directive was disclosed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

The governor also ordered rival groups involved in the park dispute to leave the motor parks while security agencies work to restore calm.

There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book” Adeleke said, while urging residents to remain calm.

As part of his response, the governor announced plans to bring back the Park Management System across the state, saying an Executive Order would soon be issued to provide the legal backing for the arrangement.

The renewed system is expected to regulate the operation of motor parks and garages and address disputes over their management.

Ajagungbade was described in the report as a close associate of the governor and a member of the Accord Party.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identities of those responsible had not been fully disclosed at the time of reporting.

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Police Arrest Two in Delta, Recover Guns, Daggers and Battle Axe

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Two suspects are in police custody in Delta State following separate raids that resulted in the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other items, the state police command has said.

The latest operation involved the arrest of Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo”, in Isupe Community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area.

Police said Nzete was suspected of dealing in illegal firearms and alleged that he ran a shrine used to fortify suspected criminal elements.

Items recovered during a search of his residence included a pump-action gun, four dagger knives, a battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.

The command said detectives were investigating to establish the extent of Nzete’s activities and whether he had links with other criminal groups.

A separate operation also led to the arrest of Joel Iwomi, 36, in Umuebu, Obiaruku.

According to the police, Iwomi resisted attempts by operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit to enter his residence before officers eventually gained access and conducted a search.

The search allegedly produced a pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges.

Both suspects have been taken into custody while investigations continue.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel E. Erale, said the command would continue efforts to keep illicit firearms away from criminal elements and prevent weapons capable of threatening public safety from circulating in the state.

He urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements, illegal firearms and other criminal activities.

The police said information supplied by members of the public would be handled confidentially.

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