By Joy Onu
The Federal Government has tightened oversight on the long-delayed Mararaba–Keffi Expressway project, ordering sweeping changes in supervision and issuing a final ultimatum to the contractor to complete and hand over the road by February 28, 2026.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, issued the directive on Friday, January 9, during an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing Kilometer road expansion project in Nasarawa State, expressing dissatisfaction over slow progress, recurring defects and what he described as internal supervisory failures within the ministry.
In a decisive move to restore accountability, the Minister ordered the immediate removal and redeployment of the Controller of Works overseeing the project, accusing the official of certifying and approving payments for jobs that were either incomplete or not executed. Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works to promptly appoint a replacement to take charge of supervision.
“Today, I am directing the Permanent Secretary to remove the Controller with immediate effect and send him to my office to learn how to obey instructions. Another Controller should be redeployed immediately to take over,” the Minister stated.
Umahi warned that weak supervision within the ministry had emboldened contractors to disregard repeated directives, stressing that officials on site have the authority to deny certificates and escalate non-compliance without delay. He said failure to exercise that authority would no longer be tolerated.
“Nobody will be spared. Discipline is our watchword. Diligence is our watchword. Doing the work we are paid to do is our watchword,” the Minister said.
Beyond administrative sanctions, Umahi issued strict technical directives to China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractor handling the project. He ordered the immediate removal of hand-moulded road caps, directed the commencement of median concreting, and instructed the installation of solar-powered streetlights along the entire corridor to enhance safety and durability.
The contractor was also directed to submit a detailed work schedule and a written commitment confirming readiness to meet the February 28 deadline, with the Minister warning that the project would not be allowed to drag beyond that date.
“I am giving you the end of February to hand over this job. You must come to my office on Wednesday with your timetable and a commitment to complete the project by then,” he said.
Umahi noted that repeated inspection visits to the corridor, including critical sections such as the Keffi flyover, had failed to deliver the expected improvements, adding that 2026 would mark a turning point in how federal road projects are monitored and executed.
He maintained that all sanctions imposed would remain in force unless overturned by the President, reiterating that discipline, diligence and strict adherence to directives would define the Ministry of Works going forward, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to value-driven infrastructure delivery for Nigerians.
