President Bola Tinubu has intervened in response to growing concerns over potential funding disruptions to key road projects under the NNPC Limited Tax Credit Scheme.

To prevent delays and reassure stakeholders, the President has directed the continued implementation of the scheme and the prompt release of payments to contractors.

Conveying the President’s stance during a high-level meeting in Abuja with affected contractors, Minister of Works, David Umahi reaffirmed the administration’s strong commitment to advancing infrastructure development.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the Minister assured stakeholders of sustained funding for all projects, emphasizing that no project under the scheme would be abandoned.

The statement read, “President Bola Tinubu, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has swiftly intervened in the ongoing concerns surrounding the potential discontinuation of funding for road infrastructure projects under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited Tax Credit Scheme, directing a resumption in payments. Stakeholders are also assured of continuous funding and guaranteed that no project will be abandoned.”

The Minister addressed concerns over outstanding payment certificates under the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme, reassuring contractors that most of the projects funded through the scheme will continue as planned and will not be affected.

Furthermore, he assured contractors—especially those handling concession-bound roads—that all outstanding payments and entitlements will be fully settled before the projects are transferred to prospective concessionaires with verified funding and capacity to deliver.

Umahi also instructed all contractors and field officers to return to their sites and resume work without delay.

He emphasized that updated project documentation, including revised scopes for critical corridors such as the Lokoja–Benin Dual Carriageway and other ongoing projects, must be submitted within seven days.

He cautioned that inaccurate data submissions could lead to misinformation and cause delays in project execution. Addressing the issue of unpaid certificates, the Minister underscored the importance of properly reconciling certified amounts with actual payments received—including VAT, other applicable taxes, and the five per cent retention fee—all of which remain part of contractors’ entitlements.

He disclosed that the Ministry is actively working with NNPCL to clear all verified outstanding certificates earned before 1st August 2025.

Umahi further informed contractors handling NNPCL-funded projects that President Tinubu has approved a new, sustainable funding framework to take effect from 1st August 2025, ensuring that all such projects will continue without interruption.

Umahi announced the formation of a committee comprising Directors of Highways (Construction and Rehabilitation), Highways (Bridges and Design), Press and Public Relations, and Public Procurement. The committee is tasked with collating and verifying all relevant information within the set deadline.

He also disclosed that Zonal Directors, Federal Controllers of Works, and contractors will be mobilised across the six geopolitical zones to conduct physical inspections of ongoing projects and commission completed palliative works.

These activities will be carried out with full participation from members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists to ensure transparency and public accountability.

“Any unresolved payment issue or financial discrepancy after the seven-day deadline will be escalated,” he added.