Umahi commends Chinese firm over Mararaba-Keffi Road project, seeks release of outstanding funds

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the quality execution of the ongoing Mararaba-Keffi Road reconstruction and expansion project, describing the project as technically completed and ready for commissioning.

Umahi spoke on Saturday during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre road project linking the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with Nasarawa State.

The minister said only a few outstanding observations remained to be addressed before the project could be formally commissioned.

“We are very happy with China Harbour. They have done a very good job. Today, the job is technically completed and ready for commissioning,” Umahi said.

“The few observations we have made will be addressed before then.”

The project, executed under the Federal Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, was awarded in June 2023 at a cost of N73.9 billion.

According to Umahi, the road will significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time and ease traffic congestion along the busy Abuja-Keffi corridor, one of the most heavily trafficked routes in the North-Central region.

Despite expressing satisfaction with the quality of work, the minister raised concerns over outstanding payments owed to the contractor under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Tax Credit Scheme.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already approved the release of funds for outstanding commitments and appealed for their prompt disbursement.

“We are owing the contractor quite a lot on this project. The President has approved the payment, and I appeal that the funds be released promptly,” Umahi said.

“I feel unhappy when contractors are encouraged to work and the approved funds are withheld.”

The minister also highlighted several design innovations incorporated into the project, including the use of rigid concrete shoulders alongside flexible carriageways to improve durability and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Umahi further praised Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for undertaking complementary infrastructure projects around the corridor, particularly flyovers designed to improve traffic flow and ease congestion.

He also directed contractors handling adjoining road projects to adopt night-time construction schedules where necessary to minimise disruptions and inconvenience to motorists.

“We must put the people first. While carrying out these projects, we should not subject road users to unnecessary hardship,” he said.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works supervising the project, Yakubu Usman, disclosed that the road had attained 99.8 per cent completion.

According to him, only a few ancillary works, including the installation of streetlights, kerbs and U-drains, remain outstanding.

Usman described the project as a model for future federal highway construction, noting that the innovative shoulder design would strengthen the pavement structure and extend the lifespan of the road.

Speaking on behalf of the contractor, Chairman of CHEC, Wang Wenfei, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Works and the National Assembly for their support throughout the execution of the project.

“With the support of the Minister of Works and the National Assembly, we have successfully completed the job,” Wang said.

“We will also address the observations and directives given during the inspection as quickly as possible.”

New Post Africa reports that the Mararaba-Keffi Road is one of the busiest transportation corridors in the North-Central region, serving thousands of commuters and commercial vehicles travelling daily between Abuja and neighbouring states.

The project is expected to enhance regional mobility, facilitate trade and stimulate economic activities along the corridor upon commissioning.