The Federal Authorities has withdrawn the Abuja-bound carriageway of the Mararaba–Keffi street reconstruction challenge from China Harbour Engineering Firm Restricted over poor efficiency and repeated disregard for directives.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the announcement throughout an inspection of the challenge on Saturday, as reported by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN).
He stated the contractor repeatedly failed to keep up the opposite carriageway regardless of a number of interventions and added that the 43.65-kilometre twin carriageway will now be handed over to native contractors, who will deal with each the interior and outer shoulders of the carriageway utilizing concrete.
Expressing his displeasure, Umahi stated, “I’m disillusioned with the Abuja-bound carriageway. The challenge was not taken away from China Harbour, however the firm’s angle has been uncooperative.
“Some contractors engaged on Federal roads should not in partnership with the federal government; they’re solely within the cash.
“It took a number of interventions to get China Harbour to keep up the opposite carriageway they weren’t engaged on. Subsequently, the second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour.
“From tomorrow, native contractors can be mobilised to deal with the interior and outer shoulders utilizing concrete.”
The minister stated contractors should maintain websites freed from potholes and defects and full shoulders earlier than laying binder or pavement. Certificates of cost had been issued regardless of substandard work, which Umahi referred to as unacceptable.
He warned that contractors appearing with impunity will face penalties, stressing that street person security takes priority over revenue. Controllers and administrators who fail to escalate points inside 24 hours can be recalled.
Umahi urged state authorities to watch contractors intently and report deficiencies to stop delays and guarantee high quality development.
Extra insights
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended the price of the continued Mararaba–Keffi street challenge, stressing that prices per kilometre can’t be generalised as a result of variations in development strategies and supplies.
- Talking throughout an inspection of the twin carriageway in Nasarawa State alongside Governor Abdullahi Sule on Saturday, Umahi stated the challenge had been elevated from 43 to 45 kilometres to totally utilise the N73 billion allotted by the earlier administration.
- He defined that prices fluctuate relying on whether or not asphalt, floor dressing, or concrete is used and embrace contingency and variation of value (VOP), which can not even be utilized.
Umahi added that requests for price per kilometre with out contemplating these components are deceptive.
What you must know
As of Might 2025, the Federal Authorities introduced that 42% of labor has been accomplished on the Mararaba–Keffi part of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Twin Carriageway challenge. Full completion of the street is scheduled for June 2026.
- The Mararaba–Keffi street is a key phase of the bigger Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu-Port Harcourt route, designed to reinforce regional connectivity, cut back journey instances, and stimulate financial actions throughout the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Abia, Imo, and Rivers States.
- The challenge spans 87.3 kilometres for each carriageways, that includes a two-way, six-lane construction aimed toward lowering congestion, bettering security, and enhancing site visitors stream.
Poor efficiency and repeated disregard for directives on the Mararaba–Keffi part may hinder the focused June 2026 completion timeline.
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