By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has ordered contractors handling the Bida–Lapai–Lambata and Maje–Dikko road projects in Niger State to accelerate construction and remedial works as part of efforts to restore full motorability and ease the hardship faced by motorists.
According to an official statement signed by Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of State for Works, the Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, gave the directives on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during an inspection of the two critical road corridors.
Goronyo, while inspecting the Bida–Lapai–Lambata corridor, sympathised with motorists, particularly articulated-vehicle operators, over the prolonged delays and difficult travelling conditions along the route.
He described the approximately 123.4-kilometre corridor as a major economic artery connecting communities in Niger State and facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, goods and people.
The Minister said the project was inherited by the present administration and was being executed under the Presidential/NNPC Tax Credit financing arrangement, adding that the heavy movement of articulated vehicles informed the decision to design the road with continuously reinforced concrete pavement.
He directed the immediate mobilisation of the contractor for palliative works while permanent reconstruction continues.
“We deeply sympathise with the drivers and other road users. This is a very important economic corridor, and we cannot allow it to fail completely. We are going to push the contractor to mobilise early and undertake palliative works to provide relief to motorists while we await the full reconstruction of the road,” Goronyo said.
At the Maje–Dikko section, the Minister expressed satisfaction with improvements recorded following an earlier 48-hour directive to restore passability but ordered the contractor to deploy additional equipment and materials and sustain round-the-clock operations at critical sections.
“The progress of the work so far is impressive, and we are satisfied with what you have been doing over the last few days. But you need to double your efforts, mobilise more materials and equipment, and concentrate on the difficult sections. Nigerians deserve better roads, and we have no excuse,” he said.
Goronyo also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on the Maje–Jazu Section II project being handled by CCECC Nigeria Limited, noting that more than ₦10 billion had been released as mobilisation out of the approximately ₦90 billion project value.
He said physical progress on the 71.9-kilometre project stood at about one per cent, against an expected progress of almost 16 per cent at the current stage.
“The amount so far released to you as mobilisation is over ₦10 billion. Yet, the progress of work on site is not commensurate with the amount that has been advanced to you,” the Minister said.
He disclosed that the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, had been briefed on the project and was dissatisfied with the pace of work, directing the contractor to substantially increase mobilisation.
Goronyo noted that the project, which has a 36-month completion period, includes the construction of about 11 culverts and 11 bridges, stressing that almost six months had already elapsed without appreciable progress.
The contractor attributed some of the delays to prolonged traffic congestion caused by articulated vehicles between June and August, which it said affected the movement of equipment and materials.
It assured the Minister that it had the capacity and resources to accelerate construction and indicated that it expected to complete about nine to 10 kilometres by March 2027.
Goronyo, however, maintained that the proposed output would be inadequate given the overall length of the project and directed the contractor to immediately deploy more machinery, materials and manpower.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said palliative measures would be deployed along critical sections of the Lambata–Lapai corridor to maintain motorability during the rainy season pending full-scale permanent rehabilitation.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, urged truck owners and drivers to avoid overloading, stressing that excessive loading affects road safety, vehicles and pavement durability.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to continuous monitoring of both corridors and ensuring that contractors sustain the pace of work until the affected sections are made safely motorable.
