The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, has reaffirmed that infrastructure development remains the bedrock of economic growth and sustainable national development, stressing that no country can achieve meaningful progress without substantial investment in critical infrastructure.
According to Mohammed A. Ahmed, the Director, Information and Public Relations in a Statement made available to TV360, on Thursday, 21st May, 2026, Adeladan was speaking at the International Civil Service Conference 2026.
The permanent secretary said the present administration has placed infrastructure and transportation at the centre of its development agenda because of their strategic role in driving economic transformation.
According to him, nations such as United States, United Kingdom, Germany and South Africa have recorded significant economic advancement through deliberate and sustained investments in roads, railways, power, and other critical infrastructure.
He explained that infrastructure supports virtually every sector of the economy, including agriculture, transportation, commerce, and oil and gas, by facilitating the movement of goods and services, boosting productivity, attracting investment, and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Adeladan also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works has adopted a modern road construction technology known as Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) to improve the durability and resilience of roads amid the growing impact of climate change.
He noted that although CRCP roads involve higher initial construction costs, they are more durable, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective in the long term, with the capacity to withstand heavy traffic for up to 50 years with minimal maintenance.
The permanent secretary added that the technology would promote local content development through the use of locally sourced materials and labour, thereby creating jobs and stimulating economic activities.
Highlighting challenges confronting infrastructure development in Nigeria, Adeladan identified inadequate funding as a major obstacle, noting that government alone cannot shoulder the enormous financial burden required to close the country’s infrastructure gap.
He said this reality had informed the increasing adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and concession arrangements for major road projects across the country.
The permanent secretary cited the Benin–Asaba Road and the Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga corridor as examples of projects already concessioned to ensure sustainable maintenance, efficiency, and improved service delivery.
He further stressed the need for infrastructure projects to be designed with sustainability, climate resilience, and community needs in focus, adding that investments in infrastructure must deliver long-term socio-economic benefits and public value.
Also speaking at the conference, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Temitope Peter Fashedemi, emphasised the importance of proper planning and climate-conscious infrastructure delivery to minimise losses caused by flooding, erosion, and poor maintenance culture.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Emanso Umobong, advocated the integration of technology, smart city concepts, community participation, and human capital development in infrastructure planning and execution.
In his remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission said Nigeria’s huge infrastructure deficit requires stronger private sector participation, adding that sustainable infrastructure financing can only be achieved through an enabling environment that guarantees investor confidence and reasonable returns.
The conference attracted senior government officials, policymakers, development experts, and stakeholders who deliberated on strategies for improving infrastructure delivery and promoting sustainable national development through innovation, technology, and collaborative partnerships.
