From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has withdrawn the Abuja-bound carriageway of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi Road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, warning that no payment certificates will be issued for substandard work.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway, citing the company’s “poor performance and uncooperative attitude.”
Umahi accused the firm of failing to comply with directives from the Ministry of Works and neglecting sections of the road not under active construction.
He said the affected section would now be handled by local contractors to ensure speed and quality delivery.
“From tomorrow, local contractors will be mobilised to handle both the inner and outer shoulders using reinforced concrete. Even if there are only two contractors, one will handle the inner shoulder and the other the outer shoulder,” Umahi stated.
The minister lamented that it took “several interventions” to compel China Harbour to maintain the carriageway it was not working on, describing such behaviour as “indiscipline and disregard for public interest,” which would no longer be tolerated.
Umahi directed that no contractor should lay binder or pavement without completing the shoulders, stressing that certificates of payment would not be issued for any project that fails to meet standard specifications.
He also warned that any ministry official who fails to escalate project challenges within 24 hours would be recalled.
“I take responsibility for not acting sooner. But going forward, every controller and zonal director must report problems directly to me,” Umahi said.
The minister cautioned contractors against political lobbying to avoid accountability, saying President Bola Tinubu had given him full backing to enforce reforms in the sector.
“When we correct contractors, some of them run to stakeholders to misrepresent the ministry. But let me be clear, if anyone in the ministry asks you for money, report it publicly. We will protect this country’s interest,” he warned.
Umahi explained that the redesigned construction method for the road includes stabilising the base with 3.5 percent cement, constructing 20-centimetre-thick concrete shoulders, and milling the existing asphalt before applying binder and wearing course, a process he said would guarantee a lifespan of at least 40 years.
The Mararaba–Keffi Road, one of the busiest routes linking the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa and other North-Central states, was initially awarded at N73 billion but later reviewed to enhance structural strength and durability.
Umahi further disclosed that the first section of the broader Abuja–Keffi corridor, spanning 47.47 kilometres, costs N1.067 trillion, about N11.57 billion per kilometre, covering flyovers, solar lighting, shore protection, tree planting, and reinforced retaining walls.
