Government Inspects Akwa Ibom Airport, As April Deadline For International Flight Draws Nearer

Government inspects Akwa Ibom Airport, as April deadline for international flight draws nearer. ‎The Akwa Ibom State Supervisory Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Emem Almond Bob, has again assured of the State’s readiness to begin international flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport at the beginning of the second quarter of the year.
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‎The Commissioner spoke Thursday, after leading a delegation from the Ministry on an inspection tour of the entire airport facility.
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‎The inspection covered critical infrastructure and operational areas, including the access road within the terminal building, parking lot, apron, taxiway, security / operational perimeter fencing, Smart Internet installation, as well as the power transmission and transformer area and medium voltage power panels, among others.
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‎Bob, who earlier had a strategic technical meeting with all contractors and engineers on site to appraise the level of work done, said with the smooth pace of work, he was very optimistic that the April timeline would be met.
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‎He noted that the Governor was very committed to delivering the world class facility for international use within the stipulated timeframe, noting that the current level of progress gives confidence that the April timeline for international operations will be achieved.
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‎Commisioner Bob explained that as the supervising ministry in charge of the actualization of the new international airport terminal, it was within their oversight to regularly have a technical meeting with all the contracting firms to assess their quality of work and identify existing gaps.
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‎ “As a ministry, we are here today to inspect and assess key operational areas, identify infrastructure gaps, and ensure timely interventions to guarantee a seamless take-off of international flights,” the Commissioner stated
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‎Responding to questions from the media on whether the Committee on the Actualization of the Airport would visit the facility before the inaugural flight, the Commissioner explained that the Committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, was actively working.
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‎He noted that his presence at the site was in his capacity as the Supervisory Commissioner of the Ministry and assured that meetings would be convened as necessary to address areas of concern, adding that inspections would continue up to the very last day before the commencement of international operations at the airport.
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‎Taking the Commissioner around all components of the new terminal building, the Chairman of VKS Construction, Engr. Oliver Ebong highlighted that works were ongoing in all the areas requiring urgent attention to ensure full completion of the facility and assured that the terminal would be ready for use by the end of March.

Akwa Ibom Airport

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‎Recall that Governor Umo Eno had inaugurated a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah to oversee the full implementation of the international status of the Victor Attah International Airport, following a technical assessment visit by a Federal Government team led by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, to commence the process of giving effect to the international operations at the airport.
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‎On the inspection were, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties. Engr. Ephraim Udosen; Managing Director, Airport Development Authority, Uwem Ekanem, Director of Project Implementation and Coordination, Arc. Ekawan Alale; Director of Geo-Technical Services, Mrs. Helen Daniel; Clark works for the Terminal Building, Arc. Christopher Enyekung among others.
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‎12 February, 2026.

Umahi: Ministry Of Works Did Not Award Abuja-Kaduna Road Contract To Mikano

Umahi: Ministry of Works did not award Abuja-Kaduna road contract to Mikano. The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has clarified that the Federal Ministry of Works did not award the Abuja–Kaduna Road contract to Mikano International Limited. The Minister stated that the contract was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, in line with due procurement processes and transparency standards.

The Minister made this clarification while briefing journalist on 12 Febuary, 2026 in the Ministry Confrence Room in Mabushi Abuja, also drawing public attention to the increasing rate of vandalisation of critical road infrastructure across the country. He noted that the Ministry has a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to protect national infrastructure from destruction.

Engr. Umahi expressed serious concern over widespread vandalism affecting roads, bridges, and related infrastructure nationwide. He cited recent cases along the Lagos Coastal Road corridor, where protective structures and road components have been deliberately damaged.

According to the Minister, flooding recorded in some sections of the coastal highway was largely caused by blockage of underground drainage channels with refuse, emphasizing the need for public cooperation in maintaining infrastructure.

He commended the Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the Nigeria Police for deploying personnel to safeguard critical infrastructure and combat vandalism.

Parking of heavy trucks on bridges creates structural stress, as bridges are not designed for static heavy loads. He disclosed that some offenders have already been arrested and are being prosecuted.

The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s adoption of reinforced concrete road technology, which is expected to last between 50 and 100 years, compared to traditional asphalt roads. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for supporting long-term infrastructure development and for approving several strategic road projects nationwide.

The Minister announced the
Extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road by 8.7km to link the East–West Road, using concrete pavement technology.

He added that Progress on major legacy road corridors including routes connecting Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri.
Expansion of CCTV surveillance on major bridges and highways to curb vandalism and enhance monitoring.

The Minister emphasized that federal road projects are distributed based on national development priorities, not regional considerations. He called on Nigerians to support national unity and protect public assets.

The Federal Government is considering stronger policies and collaboration with private sector partners and state governments to improve road maintenance and enforce compliance against illegal road obstructions and structures.

Addressing the status of NNPCL-funded road projects initiated under Executive Order 007 (April–May 2023), the Minister clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will no longer directly pay contractors for these projects. He announced that the Federal Ministry of Works has officially taken over both project supervision and payment responsibilities, in line with new federal directives.

The Honorable Minister disclosed that ₦127 billion has been released by Mr. President for the continuation of these projects, underscoring the administration’s commitment to completing inherited infrastructure initiatives. He noted that an estimated ₦7 trillion will be required to complete all NNPCL-funded projects, describing them as critical to national connectivity and economic development.

Umahi

Sen. Umahi further revealed that the Federal Government inherited 6,604 ongoing federal road and bridge projects nationwide, with a projected ₦16.9 trillion required for their completion. He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all inherited projects must be completed, stressing that infrastructure development remains a top priority of the administration.

The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the execution of these projects, assuring Nigerians that the government is determined to deliver quality infrastructure that meets international standards.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, In his closing remarks, thanked members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to national development

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and urged the public and media to verify facts and provide constructive feedback to support improved service delivery.

FG Raises Alarm Over Vandalisation Of Bridges, Warns Of Looming Infrastructure Crisis

FG raises alarm over vandalisation of bridges, warns of looming infrastructure crisis. The Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has raised serious concerns over the increasing vandalisation of Nigeria’s road and bridge infrastructure, warning that the trend poses significant threats to public safety and national development.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi described the deliberate removal of critical bridge and highway components as a direct assault on national assets. He revealed that vandals have been targeting expansion joints, steel reinforcements and other vital structural elements on major bridges, including the Niger Bridge and the Cumberland Bridge, often stripping and selling them as scrap.

According to the Minister, many of the affected bridges were originally designed with a lifespan of about 30 years and built to accommodate specific load capacities. However, he noted that persistent vandalism, coupled with excessive loading by heavy-duty trucks, has severely compromised their structural integrity.

Umahi also expressed concern over the illegal encroachment on designated right-of-way areas along federal highways. He explained that some road corridors have a 12-metre right-of-way, yet individuals continue to erect structures within these restricted zones, thereby obstructing ongoing construction and maintenance works.

While reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to delivering projects within available budgetary provisions, the Minister stressed that safeguarding completed infrastructure must be a shared responsibility.

He disclosed that the Ministry has begun deploying protective technologies on select bridges to deter vandalism and assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending offenders.

Citing a recent incident, Umahi said security operatives arrested individuals who removed critical components from the Cumberland Bridge, noting that such acts are becoming widespread across the country.

Umahi

“These bridges were not designed for the kind of stress they are currently subjected to,” he said. “When you combine excessive loading with deliberate removal of structural parts, you are creating a dangerous situation.”

He warned that continued destruction of road infrastructure would result in escalating repair costs, transportation disruptions and potential loss of lives.
“No government can deliver infrastructure in perfect order if the same infrastructure is being destroyed,” Umahi added.

“We are doing our best within our capacity and budget, but Nigerians must support efforts to preserve these assets. Our infrastructure belongs to all of us. If we fail to protect it, we will all bear the consequences.”

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to maintain and rehabilitate critical road networks nationwide, while urging citizens to desist from actions that undermine national development