THE Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Lokoja highway to fully mobilise to the site or face possible prosecution by anti-graft and law enforcement agencies.
Umahi warned that contractors who have received government funds but failed to deliver on their obligations would no longer be tolerated. “If you are holding the money of the Federal Government, you have to bring it out and do the job, or we start going to the police and the EFCC,” the minister said.
According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the minister expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on some sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway and the Dualisation of the Obajana Junction-Benin Road.
He disclosed that, due to funding constraints, the scope of one of the Sections of the Abuja-Lokoja road had to be reduced from 49.28 kilometres to 28 kilometres to concentrate available resources on the most critical portions.
“I am very sad about what I saw on the ground. What was reported to us is not reflected in the actual work being done,” the minister said.
The former Ebonyi governor reiterated the ministry’s directive that no section of the federal highway should remain closed for more than 14 days during construction.
He subsequently issued an ultimatum to the affected contractor to complete the required section within the stipulated period or risk termination of the contract.
The minister, however, commended Messrs JRB Construction Company for the quality and pace of work on its project, describing the company as a model of professionalism and commitment.
“If everybody does his job accordingly, there will be no reason to shift the blame to Mr. President,” the statement issued on Wednesday quoted Umahi as saying.
He also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the contractor handling one of the sections to effectively utilise funds already released to demonstrate visible progress on the project.
According to the minister, a substantial percentage of Nigeria’s Federal road network had deteriorated before the advent of the present administration.
Stressing that President Bola Tinubu inherited enormous infrastructure challenges, he, however, said the administration has continued to make significant strides to restore and modernise the nation’s road sector.
He directed the Federal Controllers of Works (FCW), Engineers’ Representatives (E.R.), and project supervisors to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enforce greater accountability, insisting that all procurement processes and expenditures must be properly justified.
As part of the inspection tour, the minister visited the reconstruction of the existing pavement and completion of the additional carriageway on Section III of the Abuja–Lokoja Dual Carriageway, including works being executed by Trucrete Solutions Limited on the Koton Karfe–Abuja alignment.
He also inspected two bridge projects along the same corridor, as well as the ongoing dualisation of the Lokoja–Benin Road. The projects inspected include Section I, Obajana Junction–Okene, and Section II covering the Okene–Auchi corridor across Kogi and Edo States.
Umahi also assessed progress on the flyover and interchange components of the project being executed by CCG Contractors, with the flyovers at approximately 80 per cent completion and the interchange at about 30 per cent.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Allwell Onyesoh, commended Umahi for his visionary leadership and firm commitment to ensuring value for public funds.
He noted that political office holders can no longer continue to bear responsibility for the poor performance of contractors, stressing that Nigerians expect tangible results and timely project delivery.
Senator Onyesoh also appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure the timely release of funds for ongoing projects. He added that the Committee would reserve its final assessment pending the level of commitment and progress demonstrated by the contractors.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, called on all stakeholders to support the ministry in delivering a quality road network across the country. He emphasised that road development is a collective responsibility and said that President Tinubu has entrusted the ministry with the critical task of ensuring efficient project execution.
Addressing contractors, Alabi assured them that the Federal Government remains committed to meeting all legitimate payment obligations, while commending JRB Construction Company for its significant investment and commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
The Managing Director of GELD Construction Company, Fadi Azimi, assured the delegation that the company would intensify work and ensure improved project delivery in line with the ministry’s expectations.
The ministry reaffirmed its determination to address the challenge of non-performing contractors and reiterated its commitment to strengthening supervision, accountability, and the timely delivery of quality road and bridge infrastructure across the country.