The Federal Government has announced that road construction projects valued below ₦20 billion will no longer be awarded to expatriate firms, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy to strengthen indigenous participation in the construction sector.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi said the new directive was designed to ensure local companies benefit more from federal road contracts, while foreign firms focus on high-value projects requiring advanced technical expertise.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below ₦20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies,” the minister declared.
The minister also frowned at the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, describing the act as destructive to pavements. He said letters would be written to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against violators.
