Abuja, Nigeria: Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the removal of China Harbour Engineering Company from the Abuja-bound section of the Mararaba–Keffi road reconstruction, citing persistent non-compliance, substandard work, and disregard for ministry directives.
Local contractors will now complete the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway to ensure speed, quality, and accountability.
Umahi, while inspecting the project on Saturday, expressed displeasure over the project, citing poor performance and disregard for directives.
He stated that local contractors would now handle the 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway 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.
Umahi stated that the Ministry has directed every project site, as a matter of policy, to ensure the entire route stretch is free from potholes and other defects.
According to him, it only takes commitment and a sense of duty to apply 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 pave without completing the shoulders, as such negligence can lead to road failure.
“China Harbour must not force me to declare them enemies of the Ministry of Works, “he said.
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 not have been easy 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“Therefore, the second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour.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 stated that contractors often believe they have powerful connections, which leads them to act with impunity, and emphasised that this 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.”
Umahi stated that controllers and directors under the Ministry who fail to escalate such challenges within 24 hours will 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.
“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 closely monitor contractors and inform the Ministry if they bring inadequate equipment; in such cases, the contractors would be removed from the site.