By Mustapha Suleiman
Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, Thursday, urged the contractor handling Mararraba-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Dual Carriageway, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister company, China Harbour Operation to take a decisive steps to address public complaints and over the road projects, ensuring quality delivery and sustainability to protect government investment.
The minister gave this directive at a meeting held with the contractors at the ministry`s headquarters in Abuja .
Umahi said that the ministry received a formal petition on the ongoing Makurdi-9th Nile-Enugu road project over excessive dust from construction activities, posing environmental and health risks to residents.
The minister, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretary to issue a letter to the contractor, mandating immediate dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation techniques, to be implemented, warning that failure to resolve the issue within 7 days would lead to the project’s suspension.
On the Dualisation of the Mararraba-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road, the Minister stated that although the project was started by the previous government, the present one completed some sections and tolled them. It was, however, observed that portions of the earlier completed road by the past administration were already falling. Consequently, he reiterated his previous directive that the first five (5) kilometres of the project must be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and properly re-marked, stressing that the contractor has been given seven days to commence the work.
He further directed that other identified failed sections along the Dual Carriageway be properly rehabilitated through milling and overlay, with particular attention given to poorly executed areas around the Nasarawa State University, failed bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainage channels, washouts, and constant vegetation control.
Engr. Umahi emphasised the need for improved highway safety management, directing the contractor to strengthen corridor monitoring and ensure the prompt removal of stationary vehicles to prevent obstruction and accidents on the Highways.
Whilst expressing deep concern over the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, he noted that site mobilisation remains insufficient despite repeated engagements with the contractor at the site and in Abuja. He highlighted that substantial mobilisation funds have already been paid to CHEC, yet key machineries have not been deployed with minimal site clearance being carried out. In this regard, he also warned that “If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds and take firm contractual action.”
The Minister stressed that the present administration will no longer tolerate poor projects execution, delays,warning that withholding of certificates, and broader contractual consequences will be applied where necessary.
He assured said that the Federal Government is committed to protecting lives, infrastructure integrity, and getting value for public funds.
Highlighting the administration’s inheritance of projects, Engr. Umahi stated that the government inherited 2,064 ongoing projects valued at more than ₦13 trillion as of May 29, 2023, excluding those on the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. Despite funding constraints, road construction and rehabilitation are progressing nationwide, he confirmed. While acknowledging that the entire federal road network cannot be completed within a single term of four years, the Minister expressed confidence that sustained tempo over the next five years would significantly transform Nigeria’s infrastructure. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to massively vote for President Tinubu in 2027, in order to continue enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth and much more.
Responding on behalf of the management of the two companies, the Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Mr. Stephen Lee assured that anti-dust measures will be taken on all construction sites as well as the full commencement of work on the failed sections of the Mararraba-Lafia road.
