Umahi withdraws Abuja-Keffi road contract from Chinese firm

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the withdrawal of the Abuja-bound carriageway of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.

Mr Umahi, while inspecting the project on Saturday, expressed displeasure over the project, citing poor performance and disregard for directives.

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He stated that the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway would now be handled by local contractors to ensure speed and quality delivery.

“I am disappointed with the Abuja-bound carriageway. The project was not taken away from China Harbour, but the company’s attitude has been uncooperative.

“Some contractors working on federal roads are not in partnership with the government; they are only interested in the money.

“It took several interventions to get China Harbour to maintain the other carriageway they were not working on,” he said.

Mr Umahi said that the ministry has now directed that, as a matter of policy, every project site must ensure that the entire stretch of the route is not encumbered by potholes or other defects.

According to him, it only takes commitment and a sense of duty to apply a stone base in such areas before construction continues.

He said that the ministry had also directed that no contractor should lay binder or pavement without providing a proper wearing course or completing the shoulders.

The minister, however, said that the instructions have been flouted, yet certificates of payment were still being issued, which was not supposed to be so.

“This is unacceptable. You cannot do pavement without completing the shoulders because such negligence causes road failure.

“China Harbour must not force me to declare them enemies of the Ministry of Works,” he said.

Mr Umahi thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the Ministry’s decisions.

“When we correct contractors, they often run to stakeholders to damage our reputation. If not for the president’s understanding, it would have been difficult to take firm decisions.

“Let me be clear, if any of us in the ministry asks you for money, please report it publicly. We will take tough decisions to protect this country.

“Therefore, the second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour.

“From tomorrow, local contractors will be mobilised to handle the inner and outer shoulders using concrete.”

The minister said that contractors often believe that they have powerful connections and so they act with impunity, adding that it must stop.

“You cannot keep flouting directives. The welfare and safety of road users are more important than anyone’s profit.

“I have visited this site over five times, given instructions repeatedly, yet they were ignored. That will no longer be tolerated.”

Mr Umahi said controllers and directors under the ministry who failed to escalate such challenges within 24 hours would be recalled.

He said that controllers should report such issues to him directly.

“We cannot have roads cut into two and contractors doing nothing. Any bureaucracy that causes public suffering must be broken.

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“The president has released funds; no one should collude with contractors to delay work.

“Let it also be known publicly that the director in charge of this zone will be held responsible for compliance,” he said

He also encouraged states to monitor contractors closely and inform the ministry if they bring inadequate equipment, and the contractors would be removed from the site.

(NAN)