The Federal Government has withdrawn the Abuja-bound section of the Mararaba–Keffi road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, citing poor performance and repeated disregard for directives.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision during an inspection visit to the project site on Saturday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Umahi said the contractor consistently failed to maintain the alternate carriageway despite multiple interventions from the ministry. He added that the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway will now be completed by local contractors using concrete for both the inner and outer shoulders.
“I am disappointed with the Abuja-bound carriageway,” Umahi said. “The project was not initially withdrawn from China Harbour, but the company’s conduct has been uncooperative. Some contractors on federal projects are not true partners with the government—they are only focused on profit.”
He further explained that the ministry had made several efforts to get China Harbour to maintain the unworked sections of the road, but the company failed to comply. “As a result, the Abuja-bound carriageway is hereby taken from them. Starting tomorrow, local contractors will be mobilised to continue the work using concrete,” he stated.
The minister emphasized that all contractors must maintain project sites free of potholes and defects, and complete shoulders before laying binders or pavement. He also criticized instances where payment certificates were issued despite poor-quality work, describing such practices as unacceptable.
Umahi warned that contractors who disregard standards will face strict penalties and stressed that road safety must always take priority. He directed state controllers and directors to promptly report issues within 24 hours or risk being recalled.
He also called on state governments to closely monitor ongoing road projects and report any lapses to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
Project Cost Clarification
Addressing questions about the cost of the Mararaba–Keffi road project, Umahi clarified that construction costs per kilometre cannot be generalized because they depend on factors such as the type of materials used — asphalt, surface dressing, or concrete — as well as contingency and variation of price (VOP) provisions.
Speaking during the inspection with Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, the minister explained that the project’s length was adjusted from 43 to 45 kilometres to fully utilize the N73 billion earlier allocated by the previous administration.
He added that comparisons of project costs without considering these technical factors are often misleading, emphasizing that the government remains committed to ensuring value for money and durable infrastructure.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
