The Federal Ministry of Works has invited the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate physical and procurement processes under the Ministry.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi made the announcement while receiving the 2025 Personality of the Year Award from Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
While asserting that every project under his supervision can withstand scrutiny, the Minister said that the ICPC has already begun its investigations.
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“I want to assure you that what drives us in the Ministry is the fear of God. On every project, the Permanent Secretary, the relevant Directors, and the contractors are all involved, and everything is done transparently. If questioned on any detail, including the cost components of a project, we can clearly account for it. There is nothing we do that we cannot defend.
“Let me tell you something: we wrote to ICPC to go around and investigate all our projects, not on paper, but to inspect the physical accomplishments of what the President is doing. We also wrote to EFCC. Now, ICPC has concluded their own investigations, and we have given them space here to check our procurement processes. They have started their work,” Umahi said.
The Works Minister noted that the government’s focus is to provide roads designed to last up to a hundred years. He acknowledged that the transition from asphalt to more durable concrete roads was challenging.
“The transition from asphalt to predominantly concrete roads was not without challenges. It was a battle we fought, but we are not afraid of challenges, especially when we are guided by God and committed to serving the people above all else.
“Most of the roads we are now constructing are concrete, designed to last up to a hundred years with minimal or no maintenance. This is a long-term investment in the country’s future,” the Minister said.
Umahi also called on the media to exercise caution in verifying information before publication, emphasising the importance of accountability.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper, Bassey Williams described Umahi as a standout figure in public service after what he called a rigorous and independent selection process.
“After months of rigorous evaluation and peer consultation, the award committee of Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper unanimously selected Engineer David Nwaeze Umahi as Personality of the Year 2025 in the category of Infrastructure Transformation Icon,” he said.