President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has moved to address concerns over the potential halt in funding for key road infrastructure projects under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Tax Credit Scheme.
In a strategic engagement held at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja with contractors handling affected projects, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, conveyed the President’s assurance that all ongoing projects will continue, emphasizing that none will be abandoned.
“President Tinubu remains fully committed to the delivery of critical infrastructure,” Umahi said, according to a statement released on Sunday by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed. “There will be continuous funding, and no project will be left behind.”
Addressing fears over unpaid certificates, Umahi clarified that most projects funded through the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme remain unaffected. He reassured contractors, especially those working on roads earmarked for concession, that all outstanding debts and entitlements will be settled before any handover to concessionaires, provided such private partners can prove both funding and capacity.
Umahi directed all contractors and field officers to return to their respective sites without delay, adding that updated documentation, including revised project scopes—particularly for the Lokoja–Benin dual carriageway and other priority corridors—must be submitted within seven days.
He warned that inaccuracies in submitted data could lead to project delays and miscommunication. “Every certified amount must be reconciled with actual payments, including VAT, taxes, and the 5% retention fee. These remain part of contractors’ full entitlements,” Umahi stated.
The Minister also disclosed that the ministry is in active discussions with NNPC to clear all verified unpaid certificates issued before August 1, 2025.
He further announced that from August 1, projects under the NNPC scheme will transition to a new sustainable funding model already approved by the President. “All such projects will continue seamlessly,” he assured.
To strengthen oversight and transparency, Umahi inaugurated a committee made up of Directors from the Highways (Construction and Rehabilitation), Bridges and Design, Press and Public Relations, and Public Procurement departments. The committee is tasked with compiling and verifying all necessary project information within the seven-day window.
Additionally, Umahi announced that Zonal Directors, Federal Controllers of Works, and contractors will be deployed across the six geopolitical zones to physically inspect ongoing work and commission completed palliative interventions, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Reiterating the ministry’s zero-tolerance policy on financial mismanagement, Umahi instructed that projects above ₦10 billion be reported separately from those below, to enhance fiscal transparency. He warned that any unresolved payment issues or discrepancies will be escalated after the deadline.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to see their roles as critical to Nigeria’s infrastructure transformation under the current administration.
“We are building with integrity, accountability, and in the best interest of the Nigerian people. Let the public, press, and the National Assembly inspect our work, and let us publicly hear from them,” Umahi said.
