The Federal Government has announced December 20, 2025, as the deadline to clear all verified outstanding payments owed to road contractors across the country, following days of protests over stalled project funding and accumulated debt.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance on Thursday during the reopening of the repaired Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State.
He confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the constitution of a high-level committee to verify and settle all pending claims submitted by contractors.
The announcement comes after aggrieved contractors, under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, staged protests at the Ministry of Finance, alleging prolonged non-payments for projects executed in 2024.
The contractors claimed the Federal Government owes them about N4 trillion, demanding the immediate release of the N760 billion earlier pledged by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.
During the protest, they placed a symbolic coffin at the ministry’s entrance, describing it as a representation of deaths and hardship allegedly suffered by members due to delayed payments.
But responding to their concerns, Umahi said the protests were no longer necessary, insisting that President Tinubu had directed that all validated debts be cleared within days.
“Mr President has recognised that contractors are being owed. He has ordered a full review of all debts, and before December 20 you will be paid,” Umahi reassured.
He noted that contractors along the Maraba–Keffi corridor, including China Harbour Engineering Company, would also be included in the scheduled disbursement.
FG Invites ICPC, EFCC to Audit All Road Projects
In a rare move aimed at boosting transparency, Umahi revealed that the Ministry of Works had invited the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to audit all federal road projects nationwide.
He said the audit will help verify the authenticity of claims, ensure accountability, and restore public confidence in government-funded infrastructure projects.
“We have submitted all our project records to ICPC and EFCC. This is the first time such a step is being taken,” Umahi said.
Govt Introduces Real-Time Online Monitoring
Umahi also announced that the government would soon launch an online platform for real-time monitoring of road projects, enabling Nigerians to track construction progress, identify delays, and provide feedback directly.
Repaired Keffi Flyover Reopened
The minister officially reopened the Keffi Flyover, which collapsed on July 4 after a truck transporting an excavator damaged its structural components. He praised President Tinubu for approving emergency funds within 24 hours of receiving a briefing.
The reconstructed flyover now includes a rebuilt beam, parapet, walkway, and a new crash-prevention gantry system already preventing illegal heavy-duty access.
Updates on Abuja–Kano Road
Addressing criticism over the slow pace of work on the Abuja–Kano Road, Umahi said the original design was flawed and had been redesigned to include full concrete shoulders. He noted that over 44 kilometres had already been completed under existing funding.
Eight kilometres of concrete pavement are now ready on sections one and three, while a solar-lit 12-kilometre stretch around Kano is nearing completion.
Umahi reaffirmed that stringent monitoring, defect-liability retention, and improved tolling reforms would deliver durable and cost-efficient road networks.
