Ogheneruona Tejiri, Warri
Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works has been called upon to publish details of the N30 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East-West Road.
This call was made by Rev. David Ugolor, Publisher, The Common Good Letter dated Thursday, October 29, 2026 made available to Reformeronline in Warri, he said that the public deserve to know the specific locations covered by the approval, the contractors that would handle the projects, the source of funding and the timeline for completion.
While welcoming the approval announced by Senator Umahi at the Federal Executive Council meeting of October 28, Rev. Ugolor described it as a potential relief for communities, businesses and motorists affected by the deplorable condition of the road.
He, however, stressed that the announcement must be followed by transparency, timely implementation and independently verifiable results.
According to Rev. Ugolor, “an approval is one stage of delivery. Nigerians also need to know what work has been authorised, who will execute it, how it will be financed and when it will be completed”.
The Publisher of The Common Good Letter then called on Senator Umahi to publish a comprehensive breakdown of the approved intervention, including the states, communities, kilometre points and lengths of road sections to benefit from the fund.
He also sought clarification on whether the package covers the damaged Kira section in Rivers State and other locations recently affected by flooding.
He further called for the release of engineering specifications, bills of quantities and completion standards, noting that the public needed to understand whether the funding would cover temporary repairs, permanent reconstruction, drainage improvements, bridges, culverts or road elevation.
Rev. Ugolor asked the Federal Ministry of Works to disclose the names of contractors and supervising consultants, the procurement method adopted, relevant approvals and any applicable clearances from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
On funding, the Publisher demanded a breakdown of the amount approved, funds released, payments made to contractors and expenditure certified against completed work, including the dates of each transaction.
He also urged Umahi to explain how the N30 billion intervention relates to existing East-West Road contracts and the previously announced reconstruction of approximately 400 kilometres between Edo and Cross River states.
He said that a consolidated schedule showing project boundaries, costs and responsibilities is necessary to prevent duplication and establish accountability for overlapping interventions.
The group also raised concerns about the road’s vulnerability to flooding, calling for the publication of relevant drainage, flood-risk and geotechnical assessments.
He said that the Ministry should explain how the proposed engineering designs would address water flow, road elevation and the safety of neighbouring communities, including consultations and compensation arrangements where necessary.
On implementation, Rev. Ugolor requested mobilisation and completion dates, measurable milestones, traffic-management plans and details of the officials responsible for supervising the projects.
He called for regular progress and expenditure reports backed by independent inspections to enable road users and host communities to assess the quality and pace of work.
The Publisher of The Common Good Letter also urged the Ministry to demonstrate compliance with procurement rules, citing a BPP announcement of October 22, 2026, which referred to an August 6, 2026, Secretary to the Government of the Federation circular requiring simultaneous notification of participating bidders and a 14-calendar-day standstill before contract execution or award effectiveness.
He requested the publication of the Notice of Intended Award, the proposed contractor and contract sum, notification dates, the standstill expiry date, and details of any complaints and their resolution.
Rev. Ugolor said that the Ministry should identify the applicable legal basis and supporting BPP guidance if it considered any procurement method or emergency provision to affect the standstill requirement.
It urged the Ministry to disclose substantiated referrals relating to fraud, falsified documents or persistent non-performance on relevant road contracts, while emphasising that allegations or contract termination alone should not be treated as proof of debarment.
The statement noted that the cited guidelines provide for exclusion lasting between three and five years where a case is established, following due process, including notice and an opportunity for the affected contractor to respond.
Rev. Ugolor also called on relevant committees of the National Assembly to scrutinise the approval and monitor the use of the funds until the projects are completed.
It urged state governments, host communities, transport associations and civil society organisations to participate in monitoring the intervention.
While reaffirming its support for urgent repairs and a transparent, adequately funded programme for the wider East-West Road, the Publisher Common Good Letter called for a consolidated public explanation from the Minister, accompanied by the relevant approval, procurement, funding and implementation records.
According to him, “public money must deliver safe roads, measurable progress and lasting relief”.
Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works has been called upon to publish details of the N30 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East-West Road.
This call was made by Rev. David Ugolor, Publisher, The Common Good Letter dated Thursday, October 29, 2026 made available to Reformeronline in Warri, he said that the public deserve to know the specific locations covered by the approval, the contractors that would handle the projects, the source of funding and the timeline for completion.
While welcoming the approval announced by Senator Umahi at the Federal Executive Council meeting of October 28, Rev. Ugolor described it as a potential relief for communities, businesses and motorists affected by the deplorable condition of the road.
He, however, stressed that the announcement must be followed by transparency, timely implementation and independently verifiable results.
According to Rev. Ugolor, “an approval is one stage of delivery. Nigerians also need to know what work has been authorised, who will execute it, how it will be financed and when it will be completed”.
The Publisher of The Common Good Letter then called on Senator Umahi to publish a comprehensive breakdown of the approved intervention, including the states, communities, kilometre points and lengths of road sections to benefit from the fund.
He also sought clarification on whether the package covers the damaged Kira section in Rivers State and other locations recently affected by flooding.
He further called for the release of engineering specifications, bills of quantities and completion standards, noting that the public needed to understand whether the funding would cover temporary repairs, permanent reconstruction, drainage improvements, bridges, culverts or road elevation.
Rev. Ugolor asked the Federal Ministry of Works to disclose the names of contractors and supervising consultants, the procurement method adopted, relevant approvals and any applicable clearances from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
On funding, the Publisher demanded a breakdown of the amount approved, funds released, payments made to contractors and expenditure certified against completed work, including the dates of each transaction.
He also urged Umahi to explain how the N30 billion intervention relates to existing East-West Road contracts and the previously announced reconstruction of approximately 400 kilometres between Edo and Cross River states.
He said that a consolidated schedule showing project boundaries, costs and responsibilities is necessary to prevent duplication and establish accountability for overlapping interventions.
The group also raised concerns about the road’s vulnerability to flooding, calling for the publication of relevant drainage, flood-risk and geotechnical assessments.
He said that the Ministry should explain how the proposed engineering designs would address water flow, road elevation and the safety of neighbouring communities, including consultations and compensation arrangements where necessary.
On implementation, Rev. Ugolor requested mobilisation and completion dates, measurable milestones, traffic-management plans and details of the officials responsible for supervising the projects.
He called for regular progress and expenditure reports backed by independent inspections to enable road users and host communities to assess the quality and pace of work.
The Publisher of The Common Good Letter also urged the Ministry to demonstrate compliance with procurement rules, citing a BPP announcement of October 22, 2026, which referred to an August 6, 2026, Secretary to the Government of the Federation circular requiring simultaneous notification of participating bidders and a 14-calendar-day standstill before contract execution or award effectiveness.
He requested the publication of the Notice of Intended Award, the proposed contractor and contract sum, notification dates, the standstill expiry date, and details of any complaints and their resolution.
Rev. Ugolor said that the Ministry should identify the applicable legal basis and supporting BPP guidance if it considered any procurement method or emergency provision to affect the standstill requirement.
It urged the Ministry to disclose substantiated referrals relating to fraud, falsified documents or persistent non-performance on relevant road contracts, while emphasising that allegations or contract termination alone should not be treated as proof of debarment.
The statement noted that the cited guidelines provide for exclusion lasting between three and five years where a case is established, following due process, including notice and an opportunity for the affected contractor to respond.
Rev. Ugolor also called on relevant committees of the National Assembly to scrutinise the approval and monitor the use of the funds until the projects are completed.
It urged state governments, host communities, transport associations and civil society organisations to participate in monitoring the intervention.
While reaffirming its support for urgent repairs and a transparent, adequately funded programme for the wider East-West Road, the Publisher Common Good Letter called for a consolidated public explanation from the Minister, accompanied by the relevant approval, procurement, funding and implementation records.
According to him, “public money must deliver safe roads, measurable progress and lasting relief”.
