By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has taken firm and far-reaching steps to enforce contractor accountability and respond to mounting public complaints over the quality and pace of some critical road projects across the country, as the Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, summoned the management of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister company, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), to a high-level meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, brought together senior officials of the Ministry of Works and representatives of the two concessionaire companies handling the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway and other strategic projects. It was convened to review widespread concerns surrounding project execution, environmental impact, safety, and compliance with agreed standards.
In an official statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, the Minister disclosed that several troubling issues associated with CHEC and CHOMC’s projects were examined in detail, after which firm warnings and clear directives were issued to protect public health, ensure quality delivery, guarantee sustainability, and safeguard government investment.
One of the most urgent matters discussed was a formal petition received by the Ministry concerning the ongoing Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road project, where excessive dust generated by construction activities has reportedly continued to expose residents along the corridor to serious environmental and health hazards.
Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to immediately issue a letter to the contractor, mandating the deployment of effective dust-control measures, including appropriate soil stabilisation techniques. He warned that failure to address the situation within seven days would attract the suspension of the project.
Turning to the dualisation of the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road, the Minister explained that while the project was initiated by the previous administration, the present government has completed some sections and tolled them. However, he expressed concern that certain portions earlier completed by the past administration were already failing.
As a result, Umahi reiterated his earlier directive that the first five kilometres of the road must be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and properly re-marked. He stressed that the contractor has been given seven days to commence the corrective work.
Beyond this stretch, the Minister ordered that all other identified failed sections along the dual carriageway be comprehensively rehabilitated through milling and overlay. He specifically pointed to poorly executed areas around the Nasarawa State University, failed bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainage channels, washouts, and persistent vegetation overgrowth as requiring urgent attention.
He further instructed that all road furnishings removed during maintenance must be fully reinstated upon completion of the works.
Emphasising highway safety as a non-negotiable priority, Umahi directed the concessionaires to strengthen corridor monitoring and ensure the prompt removal of broken-down or stationary vehicles, noting that such obstructions remain a major cause of accidents on federal highways.
The Minister also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos. He noted that despite several engagements with the contractor both at the site and in Abuja, mobilisation remained grossly inadequate.
According to him, substantial mobilisation funds had already been released to CHEC, yet critical construction machinery had not been deployed, with only minimal site clearance evident.
“If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds and take firm contractual action,” Umahi warned.
He made it clear that the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, would no longer tolerate poor execution, undue delays, or disregard for agreed standards, adding that warning letters, withholding of certificates, and other contractual sanctions would be applied wherever necessary.
The Minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains responsive to public concerns and firmly committed to protecting lives, preserving the integrity of national infrastructure, and ensuring value for public funds. He stressed that President Tinubu is determined to enforce accountability across the construction sector and break away from practices that undermine national development.
Providing a broader context, Umahi revealed that the administration inherited 2,064 ongoing projects valued at over ₦13 trillion as of May 29, 2023, excluding projects executed under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. Despite funding constraints, he said road construction and rehabilitation activities are progressing nationwide.
While acknowledging that it is unrealistic to complete the entire federal road network within a single four-year term, the Minister expressed confidence that sustaining the current tempo over the next five years would deliver a significant transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape. He therefore urged Nigerians to massively support President Tinubu in 2027 to enable the continuation and deepening of infrastructure and transportation reforms as critical enablers of economic growth.
Responding on behalf of CHEC and CHOMC, the Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Mr. Stephen Lee, pledged that industry-standard anti-dust measures would be implemented across all construction sites. He also assured the Minister of adequate mobilisation, full commencement of work on the 7th Axial Road, and comprehensive rehabilitation of the failed sections along the Mararraba–Lafia corridor.
The meeting ended with a firm restatement by the Minister that contractors must either meet agreed standards or face decisive consequences, as the Federal Government remains resolute in delivering safe, durable, and high-quality road infrastructure for Nigerians.
