The Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, has terminated the contract with China Harbour Engineering Company for the reconstruction and expansion of the Mararraba-Keffi Dual Carriageway.
The minister who led a high-powered delegation from the ministry on an inspection tour to the site, according to a statement on Sunday by Mohammed A. Ahmed, the director of press, expressed disappointment over the pace of work and lack of adherence to engineering specifications.
Abuja Times gathered that the Ministry has repeatedly warned the China Harbour Engineering Company about the slow pace of work and non-adherence to specifications, but all that fell on deaf ears.
Umahi said the ministry is left with no choice but to revoke the contract for the Abuja-bound carriageway.
He further directed that it should be awarded to a local contractor with a proven track record, who will be mobilized to complete the concrete shoulders and other pending works.
While reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering high-quality and durable road infrastructure, the Minister sent a strong message to contractors: “We cannot continue to tolerate uncooperative contractors, who delay projects and ignore directives.
“If by the 15th of December, you do not finish the scope of work, I will terminate the whole contract. We must begin to trust our local contractors. This is about discipline, quality, and integrity.”
He expressed confidence in the Nigerian engineers and contractors, guaranteeing that they would deliver quality jobs comparable to international standards when given the opportunity.
Abuja Times reports that the minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., directors and other staff of the ministry, and representatives of the construction firms.
At the Keffi Flyover, which was also inspected, the minister was met by the governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; Sen. Ahmed Wadata; officials of the state government; and other stakeholders.
They both inspected the emergency repairs of the damaged Keffi Flyover, where the governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works for their interventions in the state, especially the Keffi Flyover, which was recently damaged by an overloaded truck.
Governor Sule noted that the Keffi–Nasarawa Toto-Abaji road is crucial to the economic development of both Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory, as it serves as a major gateway for goods, services, and people.
According to him, it also serves the biggest lithium factory in Africa, recently commissioned by Mr. President.
On the soon-to-be-awarded Keffi-Nasarawa Toto-Abaji Road, the minister informed the governor and his entourage that the original contract sum of ₦73 billion covered an initial 43.65 km stretch.
He said the initial scope has now been reviewed and extended to 137 km, reaching Abaji town in the FCT, following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under a special funding arrangement.