The Nigerian government has withdrawn the Abuja-bound carriageway of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi Road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi announced the withdrawal during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway.
He said; “the decision was due to poor performance and the uncooperative attitude of the company.”
Mr Umahi accused the Company of not following the Ministry’s directives and failing to maintain sections of the road not under active construction, saying “local contractors would now handle the section to ensure speed and quality delivery.”
“It took several interventions to get China Harbour to maintain the other carriageway they were not working on. This level of indiscipline and disregard for public interest will no longer be tolerated.
“From tomorrow, local contractors will be mobilised to handle both the inner and outer shoulders using reinforced concrete. Even if there are only two contractors—one will handle the inner shoulder and the other the outer shoulder,” Umahi said.
The Minister further issued a directive that no contractor should lay binder or pavement without first completing the shoulders, warning that payment certificates would not be issued for works that fail to meet the required standards.
He warned that any ministry official who fails to escalate project challenges within 24 hours will be recalled.
“I take responsibility for not acting sooner. But going forward, every controller and zonal director must report problems directly to me,” the Minister said.
He further cautioned contractors against lobbying or political interference to avoid accountability, saying President Bola Tinubu has given him full support to enforce reforms.
“When we correct contractors, they sometimes run to stakeholders to misrepresent the ministry. But let me be clear — if anyone in the ministry asks you for money, report it publicly. We will protect this country’s interest,” Umahi stated.
The Minister revealed that the redesigned construction method for the road includes stabilising the base with 3.5 percent cement, constructing 20-centimetre-thick concrete shoulders, and milling existing asphalt before applying binder and wearing courses, a process he said would ensure a lifespan of at least 40 years.
The Mararaba–Keffi Road, one of the busiest routes linking the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa and other North-Central states, was originally awarded at ₦73 billion but has been reviewed to improve structural strength and durability.
Umahi also disclosed that the first section of the larger Abuja–Keffi corridor, spanning 47.47 kilometres, costs ₦1.067 trillion — about ₦11.57 billion per kilometre — covering flyovers, solar lighting, shore protection, tree planting, and reinforced retaining walls.
PIAK