The Federal Government has ordered that all Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Tax Credit road projects valued below N20 billion be awarded solely to indigenous contractors, excluding foreign firms from participation.

The directive, introduced by the Ministry of Works under its “Nigeria First” initiative, is designed to boost local involvement in infrastructure development.

Works Minister David Umahi disclosed the policy during an inspection of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Tuesday, according to a ministry statement.

He noted that while the NNPCL has halted direct funding for Tax Credit projects, President Bola Tinubu directed that all ongoing works must be sustained.

Consequently, the ministry has drawn up and prioritized inherited projects, giving attention to those located on major economic corridors.

“As part of strategic plans towards sustainability in project funding and execution and in pursuance of the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on strategic and systematic funding of inherited NNPCL funded projects, the Federal Ministry of Works has adopted funding prioritization framework to ensure the continued execution of road projects hitherto funded by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme,” the statement read in part.

“He directed that henceforth any project below the contract sum of N20 Billion would not be given to expatriate firms, and this he said is part of measures to promote the Nigeria First policy of Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Umahi cautioned that contractors must strictly adhere to quality and delivery standards, warning that any lapses in workmanship would attract sanctions, including possible referral to anti-corruption agencies.

He decried recurring cases of poor construction practices—such as leaving binder courses exposed, which undermine road durability, stressing that such negligence will no longer be tolerated across the country.

On the Eleme–Onne Road project being executed by Reynolds Construction Company, the minister praised the quality of work but faulted the slow pace. He reaffirmed the December 15, 2025 completion deadline, making it clear that no extension or cost variation would be granted.