David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has mandated the immediate termination of the contract awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company Limited for the reconstruction of the Abuja-bound carriageway on the Mararaba-Keffi road project, citing unsatisfactory performance by the contractor.
During an unannounced site visit on Saturday, Umahi expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress and quality of work, highlighting the contractor’s failure to adhere to federal government directives.
The minister criticized the substandard workmanship and sluggish advancement on the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway, emphasizing the need for local contractors to take over the project to guarantee timely completion and superior standards.
“My disappointment lies with the Abuja-bound lane. Although the contract remains with China Harbour, their lack of cooperation is evident,” Umahi remarked.
“Some contractors engaged in federal road projects seem more focused on financial gain than partnership with the government. It required multiple interventions just to get China Harbour to maintain the other carriageway they neglected,” he added.
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Umahi further emphasized that the ministry has now instituted a policy requiring all project sites to ensure that the entire road stretch is free from potholes and defects. He noted that applying a stone base in problematic areas before continuing construction is a straightforward task that demands commitment and responsibility.
“This level of negligence is unacceptable. Pavement cannot be completed without properly finishing the shoulders, as neglecting this leads to road deterioration. China Harbour must not compel me to label them adversaries of the Ministry of Works,” he warned.
“We cannot allow roads to be divided and left incomplete while contractors remain inactive. Any bureaucratic obstacle causing public inconvenience must be dismantled.
“Consequently, the contract for the second carriageway heading to Abuja is hereby revoked from China Harbour. Starting tomorrow, local contractors will be deployed to manage both the inner and outer shoulders using concrete,” Umahi declared.
“Repeated disregard for directives is unacceptable. The safety and welfare of road users take precedence over profit. Despite visiting this site more than five times and issuing numerous instructions, they were ignored. This will no longer be tolerated,” he concluded.
