By ANGELA ATABO

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered a comprehensive anti-corruption review of federal road projects, reinforcing transparency and accountability in infrastructure delivery.

Umahi disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the ‘Personality of the Year’ award from Al-Jazeera Newspaper Nigeria.

He said the ministry has invited Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to independently investigate road projects nationwide.

“We wrote to ICPC to investigate all our projects, not on paper, but physically verify what the President is delivering.

“We also wrote to EFCC. ICPC has concluded. We gave them space to check procurement processes. They have started work. Nobody is interfering.

“I am told EFCC will begin after Sallah. We are not hiding anything because we feel for the people.

“When a road is cut into two, it is like people being imprisoned because movement becomes impossible. This is what the President is addressing,” Umahi said.

He said the ministry’s costing system allowed detailed breakdowns of materials and construction processes for every project.

“If you ask about any project cost, we can disaggregate it—cement, sand, chippings, equipment—everything is accounted for,” he said.

Umahi stressed that shifting from asphalt to concrete roads, though initially resisted, serves the public interest.

“We fought that battle because concrete roads last longer and serve Nigerians better,” he said.

He added that poor road infrastructure restricts movement and economic activities nationwide.

“When a road is cut off, it is like putting people in prison. That is what we are trying to change,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the media outlet, Williams Bassey, said the award followed rigorous evaluation and peer review.

Bassey said the committee unanimously selected Umahi as 2025 Personality of the Year for Infrastructure Transformation.

He described Umahi as a public servant driving significant infrastructure improvements under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“This honour recognises your strides in infrastructure development and elevating road construction standards nationwide,” he said.

He added that extensive investigations into the ministry’s operations found no evidence of wrongdoing.

“In 2024, we deployed our highest investigative resources within and outside Nigeria, and found no evidence of corruption,” he said. (NAN)

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