The Federal Authorities has withdrawn the Abuja-bound carriageway of the Mararaba–Keffi highway reconstruction challenge from China Harbour Engineering Firm Restricted over poor efficiency and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 mentioned the contractor repeatedly failed to take care of 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 mentioned, “I’m disenchanted with the Abuja-bound carriageway. The challenge was not taken away from China Harbour, however the firm’s perspective has been uncooperative.
“Some contractors engaged on Federal roads usually are not in partnership with the federal government; they’re solely within the cash.
“It took a number of interventions to get China Harbour to take care of 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 Subsequently, the second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour.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 shall be mobilised to deal with the interior and outer shoulders utilizing concrete.”
The minister mentioned contractors should hold websites freed from potholes and defects and full shoulders earlier than laying binder or pavement. Certificates of fee had been issued regardless of substandard work, which Umahi referred to as unacceptable.
He warned that contractors performing with impunity will face penalties, stressing that highway person security takes priority over revenue. Controllers and administrators who fail to escalate points inside 24 hours shall be recalled.
Umahi urged state authorities to observe contractors intently and report deficiencies to forestall delays and guarantee high quality building.
Extra insights
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended the price of the continuing Mararaba–Keffi highway challenge, stressing that prices per kilometre can’t be generalised because of variations in building strategies and supplies.
- Talking throughout an inspection of the twin carriageway in Nasarawa State alongside Governor Abdullahi Sule on Saturday, Umahi mentioned the challenge had been elevated from 43 to 45 kilometres to completely utilise the N73 billion allotted by the earlier administration.
- He defined that prices range relying on whether or not asphalt, floor dressing, or concrete is used and embody contingency and variation of value (VOP), which can not even be utilized.
Umahi added that requests for value per kilometre with out contemplating these elements are deceptive.
What it is best to 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 highway is scheduled for June 2026.
- The Mararaba–Keffi highway is a key phase of the bigger Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu-Port Harcourt route, designed to reinforce regional connectivity, scale back journey occasions, 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 geared toward lowering congestion, bettering security, and enhancing site visitors circulation.
Poor efficiency and repeated disregard for directives on the Mararaba–Keffi part might hinder the focused June 2026 completion timeline.
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