President Tinubu’s road debt action aims to settle contractor arrears by 20 December and ease tensions after days of protests in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday in Nasarawa State announced a decisive Tinubu road debt action to settle outstanding payments owed to federal road contractors by 20 December 2025, after days of mounting protests in Abuja demanding overdue funds.

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Minister of Works David Umahi, who spoke during the reopening of the repaired Keffi Flyover, confirmed that President Tinubu had approved a special committee to verify and clear all arrears.

David Umahi said the President recognised the urgency of the situation and had authorised an accelerated payment plan to address widening frustrations among contractors.

Contractors under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria staged repeated demonstrations at the Federal Ministry of Finance this week.

Members claimed the Federal Government owed about four trillion naira for completed and ongoing projects and insisted that a previously promised seven hundred and sixty billion naira remained unpaid.

Protesters placed a symbolic coffin at the ministry’s entrance, saying it represented the hardship, financial collapse, and deaths suffered by some members.

David Umahi urged a halt to the protests, saying President Tinubu had given firm instructions that all verified claims must be settled without delay.

He added that contractors working on the Maraba–Keffi axis, including China Harbour Engineering Company, were among those yet to receive payments but would be captured in the upcoming disbursement cycle.

In a significant and unprecedented move, David Umahi disclosed 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 across the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the audit would strengthen transparency, restore public trust, and ensure that payments reflected actual work.

He also announced a new online monitoring platform that would allow citizens to track real-time project progress.

David Umahi praised President Tinubu for authorising emergency funding within twenty-four hours for the reconstruction of the Keffi Flyover, which collapsed on 4 July after a truck carrying an excavator damaged its structural components.

Engineers confirmed that the repaired bridge, which links Abuja and Nasarawa, now has upgraded beams, parapets, walkways, and a new gantry designed to stop heavy-duty vehicles from causing further accidents.

David Umahi defended the pace of work on the Abuja–Kano Road, saying criticism overlooked design flaws inherited from the previous contract.

He said modifications, including full concrete shoulders, had improved durability and safety, and that over forty-four kilometres were now complete.

He added that a solar-lit twelve-kilometre extension around Kano was nearing delivery.

David Umahi reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to quality and accountability, saying a strict defect-liability regime remained in place, with a 2.5 percent retention fee withheld until contractors demonstrated full compliance.

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He described the reforms as essential to building durable infrastructure and ensuring Nigeria’s resources are protected.