…Cites Poor Performance, Hands Contract to Local Engineers
The Federal Government has withdrawn the contract for the Abuja-bound carriageway of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi Road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, citing poor performance and disregard for directives.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, announced the decision on Saturday during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway, which connects the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with Nasarawa State and other parts of the North-Central region.
Umahi said the withdrawn section will now be handled by local contractors, who will be mobilised immediately to commence work on both the inner and outer shoulders using reinforced concrete.
“The second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour.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,” he declared.
“We must begin to try our local contractors, there are many who are doing very well. The problem with some expatriates is that they are overloaded with over 25 projects. I am an engineer and I have confidence in our local contractors.”
The minister added that from Monday or Tuesday, local contractors would be visible on site, urging Nigerians to assess the quality of their work.
“After all, it’s still our people they are using. Even if there are only two contractors, one will handle the inner shoulder and the other the outer shoulder,” he said.
Umahi expressed disappointment with China Harbour’s uncooperative attitude, noting that the company ignored multiple directives and failed to maintain the opposite carriageway despite repeated visits by ministry officials.
“Some contractors working on federal roads are not in partnership with the government, they are only interested in the money,” he lamented.
“This level of indiscipline and disregard for public interest will no longer be tolerated.”
He directed that no contractor should lay binder or pavement without completing the shoulders, warning that such negligence causes premature road failure. He also ordered that payment certificates would no longer be issued for non-compliant works.
Taking responsibility for earlier lapses, Umahi announced a stricter supervision policy, requiring all project controllers and zonal directors to report challenges directly to his office within 24 hours or face recall.
He further outlined the revised technical design, which includes stabilising the base with 3.5% cement mixed with stone base, constructing shoulders with 20 cm of concrete, and milling existing asphalt before applying binder and wearing courses, a design expected to last at least 40 years.
Originally awarded at ₦73 billion, the Mararaba–Keffi project has been redesigned for durability and long-term efficiency. Umahi disclosed that the first section of the broader 47.47-kilometre, three-lane route costs ₦1.067 trillion, translating to ₦11.57 billion per kilometre, inclusive of flyovers, solar lighting, shore protection, tree planting, and reinforced retaining walls.
The minister cautioned contractors against exploiting political or stakeholder influence to evade accountability, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support of the ministry’s reform agenda.
“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 take firm decisions.
Let me be clear, if any of us in the Ministry asks you for money, please report it publicly,” Umahi stated.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, quality assurance, and timely delivery of infrastructure projects, warning that any further negligence by contractors or supervising officials would attract decisive sanctions.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq. commended Engr. Umahi for his firm and professional handling of the ministry’s affairs.
He expressed full support for the decision to transfer the Abuja-bound section from the Chinese firm to local contractors, describing it as a step that aligns with President Tinubu’s directive to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.
“I support this directive you gave, and it will go a long way in reducing the hardship being faced by our people,” Goronyo said.
“This is in line with the President’s instruction that we must always put the lives of our people first. The Honourable Minister has demonstrated true commitment by ensuring quality and accountability in every project under his watch.”
Goronyo added that the move would restore public confidence in government road projects and ease the suffering of commuters who rely on the busy Abuja–Keffi route.
