The Federal Government has stepped up supervision of major highway infrastructure projects across the country, ordering a nationwide review of ongoing federal road contracts as concerns mount over performance gaps, delivery delays, and contractor capacity on critical national corridors.
The review, set in motion by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, is expected to take a closer look at firms handling multiple projects simultaneously, with the aim of addressing cases of slow execution, abandonment risks, and uneven progress across strategic road networks.
Speaking during an extensive inspection tour of federal highways, Umahi said the exercise was part of a broader effort to strengthen accountability in project delivery and ensure that only committed contractors remain on government programmes.
“From next week, we are going to weed out contractors who are not committed. Some of them have up to 25 jobs awarded before we came on board,” he said. “If you are not ready to invest while awaiting Federal Government payments, then you are not part of the progress of this country.”
He added that accountability would also extend to supervising officials within the Ministry of Works, warning that failure to enforce directives would attract consequences.
“Whenever I issue directives and return to find them not implemented, I will remove the directors and controllers from the project,” the Minister said.
The inspection covered key federal corridors, including the Maraba–Keffi axis and sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway, where large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction works are currently ongoing. The exercise brought together lawmakers, senior ministry officials, engineers, contractors, presidential aides, and community representatives along the project routes.
At the Maraba–Keffi corridor, officials briefed the Minister on emergency rehabilitation works spanning about 40 kilometres of the Abuja-bound carriageway, awarded at over ₦75.6 billion to JRB Construction Company, with completion targeted for 2028.
Engineers said the project has reached over 41 per cent completion, with works including asphalt pulverisation, drainage rehabilitation, culvert reconstruction, shoulder formation, and pavement strengthening designed to restore the heavily trafficked entry route into the capital.
The corridor remains one of Abuja’s busiest gateways, with increasing pressure driven by urban expansion and rising commercial activity along the axis.
Commending progress on site, Umahi described the contractor as one of the strongest indigenous performers on federal projects, citing both technical output and sustained activity despite funding constraints.
“I declare JRB as one of the best indigenous contractors because of the quality of work, the equipment deployed, and the commitment shown,” he said.
“Even with funding delays, they continue working because they understand this is their country.”
Attention later shifted to the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway corridor, particularly Section II covering the Kaduna–Zaria stretch, executed by Infiouest International Limited at a contract sum exceeding ₦507.1 billion.
Awarded in March 2025, the project involves 72.08 kilometres of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) alongside wearing course overlays, with completion scheduled for November 2026.
Officials disclosed that about 40 per cent of the works have been completed, including asphalt pulverisation, cement-stabilised base construction, reinforced concrete pavement installation, and shoulder formation across multiple segments.
A second package covering Sections I and III of the same corridor, valued at about ₦252.8 billion, was also inspected, as officials confirmed that parts of the corridor have already been completed, including the airport road axis, which now features solar-powered lighting and road markings, while drainage and safety installations continue on other sections.
Project documentation from the Federal Ministry of Works shows that Section II comprises dual 72.08km continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) lanes and 15km x 2 wearing course overlays, using reinforced slabs and cement-stabilised base systems designed for long-term durability under heavy traffic loads.
For Sections I and III, the scope includes 40.5km of CRCP works, 17.32km asphalt sections, and 6.63km asphalt overlay on the airport road axis, with completed portions already improving traffic movement along the corridor.
Lawmakers and stakeholders who joined the inspection expressed cautious optimism over progress but called for stronger enforcement of contract obligations and tighter monitoring of project execution.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akintola Alabi, criticised cases where contractors receive mobilisation fees without moving to site.
“There are contractors who collect mobilisation and disappear from site. That practice must stop if we want value for public funds,” he said.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement for the North Central region, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, stressed the need for closer coordination among implementing agencies and contractors to ensure delivery aligns with national development goals.
She noted that infrastructure outcomes must be measured not only by completion certificates but by real improvements in mobility, economic activity, and public service delivery.
“Infrastructure delivery must translate into visible national development outcomes,” she said. “We must ensure that what is approved on paper is clearly reflected in real-life impact on citizens.”
She also commended the Minister’s hands-on supervision approach, describing it as a key driver of improved discipline across project sites.
Umahi further directed that full removal of asphalt layers should be restricted to structurally necessary cases, recommending instead partial milling combined with cement stabilization and stone base reinforcement to improve durability and reduce costs.
He also ordered accelerated completion of drainage systems, concrete shoulders, and New Jersey barriers along key corridors, describing them as essential to highway safety and long-term performance.
The Minister disclosed plans to introduce solar-powered street lighting and CCTV surveillance systems on selected highways as part of a pilot security and monitoring initiative.
He said the programme would be implemented in collaboration with security agencies and telecommunications partners to improve real-time surveillance and incident response on major road corridors.
Umahi assured that government was working to ensure improved funding flow to contractors while tightening enforcement mechanisms to guarantee delivery standards across all ongoing federal highway projects.
