Umahi warns non-performing contractors, says Tinubu not responsible for delayed road projects

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to contractors handling Federal Government road projects, directing them to improve performance and fulfil contractual obligations or risk sanctions, including contract termination.

Umahi said poor project execution by contractors should not be used to undermine the infrastructure efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The minister spoke during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing road and bridge projects in Kogi and Edo States, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway and the Obajana Junction-Benin Road dualisation project.

According to him, reports submitted to the ministry did not accurately reflect the realities observed on the project sites.

“I am very sad with what I saw on the ground. What was reported to us is not reflected in the actual work being done,” Umahi said.

The minister disclosed that funding constraints had forced the Federal Government to reduce the scope of one section of the Abuja-Lokoja road project from 49.28 kilometres to 28 kilometres in order to concentrate available resources on the most critical areas.

He reiterated the ministry’s directive that no section of a federal highway under construction should remain closed to motorists for more than 14 days.

Consequently, Umahi issued an ultimatum to one of the contractors handling the project to complete the affected section within the stipulated period or face contract termination.

He also handed GELD Construction Company a 72-hour deadline to effectively utilise funds already released for its section of the project and demonstrate visible progress.

The minister, however, commended JRB Construction Company for what he described as excellent performance, professionalism, and commitment to timely project delivery.

“If everybody does his job accordingly, there will be no reason to shift the blame to Mr. President,” he said.

Umahi noted that a significant portion of Nigeria’s federal road network had deteriorated before the current administration assumed office, adding that President Tinubu inherited enormous infrastructure deficits but has continued to prioritise the rehabilitation and expansion of critical road infrastructure nationwide.

He directed Federal Controllers of Works, Engineers’ Representatives, and project supervisors to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enforce stricter accountability standards on contractors.

According to him, all procurement processes, project expenditures, and implementation timelines must be closely scrutinised to ensure value for money.

During the inspection, the minister assessed ongoing reconstruction works on Section III of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway, including pavement rehabilitation and construction of the additional carriageway being executed by Trucrete Solutions Limited on the Koton Karfe-Abuja corridor.

He also inspected two strategic bridge projects along the route, as well as Sections I and II of the Lokoja-Benin Road dualisation project covering the Obajana Junction-Okene and Okene-Auchi corridors across Kogi and Edo States.

Umahi further evaluated progress on the flyover and interchange components of the project being handled by CCG Contractors.

According to project updates presented during the inspection, the flyovers have reached approximately 80 per cent completion, while the interchange stands at about 30 per cent completion.

Speaking during the tour, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, commended Umahi’s leadership and commitment to ensuring accountability in the execution of road projects.

He said public office holders should no longer bear responsibility for the poor performance of contractors, stressing that Nigerians expect quality infrastructure projects delivered on schedule.

The senator added that strict supervision and enforcement of contractual obligations remain essential to achieving the Federal Government’s infrastructure development objectives.