By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The publisher of The Common Good Letter, Rev. David Ugolor, has called on the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to publish full details of the N30 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for remedial work on the East-West Road.
Rev. Ugolor made the call in a statement issued on October 29, 2026, titled “East-West Road 30 billion approval – Minister Umahi should publish the details.”
He said The Common Good Letter welcomes the Minister’s announcement that the FEC approved N30 billion for deteriorated sections of the road at its October 28, 2026, meeting, as reported by Voice of Nigeria on October 28 and Punch on October 29, which linked the intervention to flood-affected sections.
According to Rev. Ugolor, the announcement offers hope of relief to communities, businesses, and motorists enduring dangerous journeys and prolonged disruptions. However, that hope must now be supported by clear information, timely implementation, and independently verifiable results.
He noted that approval is one stage of delivery, stressing that Nigerians also need to know what work has been authorized, who will execute it, how it will be financed, and when it will be completed.
Rev. Ugolor therefore listed nine key questions the Minister should answer with supporting documents to ensure transparency and accountability.
He asked the Minister to identify every section covered by the N30 billion approval, including the states, communities, kilometer points, and length of each intervention, and to clarify whether the package includes the damaged Kira section in Rivers State or other recently flooded locations.
He also called for the publication of the engineering scope, bill of quantities, and completion standards for each location. He asked the Minister to state whether the sum covers temporary repairs, permanent reconstruction, drainage improvements, bridges, culverts, or road elevation.
Regarding execution, Rev. Ugolor asked the Ministry to name the contractors and supervising consultants and explain whether these are new contracts, variations to existing contracts, or another delivery arrangement. He also called for disclosure of the procurement method, relevant approvals, and Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) clearances.
He further demanded clarity on the funding source, asking the Minister to identify the budget line or other financing authority and to state separately the amount approved, released, paid to contractors, and certified against completed work, with dates.
The publisher asked the Minister to explain whether the N30 billion is additional to existing East-West Road contracts and how it relates to the announced reconstruction of approximately 400 kilometers between Edo and Cross River states, and to provide a consolidated schedule showing the boundaries, costs, and responsibilities of overlapping interventions.
On durability, Rev. Ugolor urged the Ministry to publish relevant drainage, flood-risk, and geotechnical assessments and explain how the designs address water flow, road elevation, and the safety of neighboring communities, including consultation and compensation arrangements where applicable.
He also requested mobilization and completion dates, measurable milestones, traffic-management arrangements, and the names of the officials responsible for supervision, along with regular progress and expenditure reports supported by independent inspection.
Rev. Ugolor specifically raised the issue of compliance with procurement rules, citing the BPP announcement of October 22, 2026, which cites SGF Circular SGF.50/S.52/III/727 dated August 6, 2026, which requires simultaneous notices to participating bidders and a 14-calendar-day standstill before contract execution.
He called on the Minister to publish the Notice of Intended Award, the proposed contractor and sum, the notification dates, the expiry date, and any complaints and their resolution. He noted that if the Ministry considers a particular procurement method or emergency provision to alter this requirement, it should identify the applicable legal basis and supporting BPP guidance, as FEC approval alone does not establish compliance.
He also asked whether contractor eligibility and past performance had been checked, citing the BPP announcement of October 20, 2026, which cites SGF Circular 59780/S.2/B/585 dated August 12, 2026, on debarment, and whether the Ministry will confirm registry checks and disclose any supported referrals concerning fraud, falsified documents, or persistent nonperformance.
Rev. Ugolor noted that the guideline provides for exclusion for three to five years where a case is established, following notice and an opportunity to respond, including an initial 10-working-day response period. He warned that allegations or contract termination alone must not be presented as an existing debarment.
He urged the relevant National Assembly committees to scrutinize the approval and follow the money through to completed work. He said governments, host communities, transport associations, and civil society should have access to the information needed to monitor delivery.
Rev. Ugolor said The Common Good Letter supports urgent repairs and a transparent, adequately funded program for the wider East-West Road, and requested a consolidated public explanation from the Minister, accompanied by the approval, procurement, funding, and implementation records.
He concluded that public money must deliver safe roads, measurable progress, and lasting relief.