Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has withdrawn the Abuja-bound carriageway of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi Road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.
This was consequent on the contractor’s poor performance and disregard for directives.
This decision was made by the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway on Saturday.
According to Umahi, the section would henceforth be handled by local contractors who will be mobilised immediately to begin work on both the inner and outer shoulders using reinforced concrete.
His words: “Therefore, the second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour. From tomorrow, local contractors will be mobilised to handle the inner and outer shoulders using concrete.
“Even if there are only two contractors — one will handle the inner shoulder and the other the outer shoulder,”.
The minister was agitated by what he described as China Harbour’s “uncooperative attitude”. said that despite multiple He further stated that despite visits and repeated directives, the company failed to maintain the other carriageway and continued to flout project specifications.
“Some contractors working on federal roads are not in partnership with the government; they are only interested in the money,” he said.
He also said: “It took several interventions to get China Harbour to maintain the other carriageway they were not working on. This level of indiscipline and disregard for public interest will no longer be tolerated.”
Consequently, he directed that no contractor should lay binder or pavement without completing the shoulders, stressing that such negligence often leads to premature road failure.
Umahi warned that payment certificates must no longer be issued for non-compliant works.
“I take responsibility, along with my staff, for not taking prompt action earlier. Any controller or director under the ministry who fails to escalate challenges within 24 hours will be recalled”, he warned.
Umahi noted that the Federal Ministry of Works has now adopted a stricter policy to ensure accountability, requiring all project controllers and zonal directors to report challenges directly to him to prevent delays and poor-quality delivery.
He further disclosed that the revised construction design for the project involves stabilising the base with 3.5 per cent cement mixed with stone base, constructing the shoulders with 20 cm of concrete, and milling the existing asphalt before applying binder and wearing courses, a method he said guarantees a lifespan of at least 40 years.
The Mararaba–Keffi Road, spanning 43.65 kilometres, is one of the busiest corridors linking the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Nasarawa and other North-Central states.
The project was initially awarded at ₦73bn but has since been redesigned to improve structural integrity and longevity.
Umahi also disclosed that the first section of the broader project — a 47.47-kilometre three-lane route — costs ₦1.067tn, translating to ₦11.57bn per kilometre, inclusive of flyovers, solar lighting, shore protections, tree planting, and reinforced retaining walls.
He cautioned contractors against hiding under political or stakeholder influence to evade accountability, saying President Bola Tinubu has shown unwavering support for reforms in the ministry.
“When we correct contractors, they often run to stakeholders to damage our reputation. If not for the President’s understanding, it would have been difficult to make firm decisions.
The Minister also affirmed: “Let me be clear: if any of us in the Ministry ask you for money, please report it publicly. We will take tough decisions to protect this country,”.
In addition, Umahi stressed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, quality assurance, and the timely completion of road projects nationwide.
The minister threatened decisive sanctions against contractors or supervising officials with regard to negligence.
END
