…The Federal minister said “If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Federal Government has issued strong warnings and set clear deadlines for China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its affiliate, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), over allegations of poor workmanship, delayed mobilisation, and environmental risks on several federal road projects nationwide.
The warnings followed a high-level meeting on Thursday at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and attended by senior ministry officials and representatives of the two Chinese firms.
CHEC and CHOMC are concessionaires on the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway and are also responsible for other critical projects, including the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road and the 7th Axial Road in Lagos.
In a statement released on Friday by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, Umahi said the meeting was convened to address growing public concerns, protect government investments, and enforce strict accountability among contractors under the Renewed Hope administration.
The minister revealed that the Ministry had received a formal petition from residents along the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu corridor, complaining about excessive dust generated by construction activities, which posed serious environmental and public health hazards.
He directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately issue a warning letter to the contractor, instructing the deployment of approved dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation. Umahi warned that failure to resolve the issue within seven days would lead to the suspension of the project.
According to the statement, several issues affecting CHEC and CHOMC projects were reviewed during the meeting, with firm directives issued to protect public health, ensure quality delivery and sustainability, and safeguard federal government investments.
The Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway is a key north-central transport corridor linking the Federal Capital Territory with Nasarawa and Benue states, and serving as a major route to the South-East and parts of the North-East.
Originally designed as a dual carriageway to ease congestion, reduce travel time, and improve safety on an accident-prone route, the project was awarded under previous administrations and later restructured into a concession and operation-and-maintenance framework involving CHEC and CHOMC.
Umahi noted that while the current administration had completed and tolled some sections of the road, portions executed under the previous government were already deteriorating.
As a result, he reiterated his directive that the first five kilometres of the road be milled and reconstructed using concrete pavement, properly re-asphalted, and re-marked, giving the contractor seven days to commence corrective works.
He also ordered the rehabilitation of other failed sections through milling and overlay, with specific attention to defective areas around Nasarawa State University, damaged bridge expansion joints, broken manhole covers, blocked drainages, washouts, and poor vegetation control.
The federal minister further instructed that all road furniture, including signage and safety installations, must be reinstated after maintenance works and directed the contractor to strengthen highway safety management through improved monitoring and prompt removal of broken-down vehicles.
Expressing concern over the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road in Lagos, Umahi said site mobilisation remained grossly inadequate despite repeated engagements with the contractor in both Lagos and Abuja.
He disclosed that substantial mobilisation funds had already been released to CHEC, yet essential construction equipment had not been deployed, with only minimal site clearance achieved.
“If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds and take firm contractual action,” the minister warned.
Umahi stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would no longer tolerate poor execution, unnecessary delays, or disregard for contractual obligations, noting that warning letters, withholding of certificates, and other sanctions would be applied where necessary.
He assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to protecting lives, ensuring infrastructure integrity, and delivering value for public funds, adding that the President was determined to end practices that undermine national development and public confidence.
Providing background, Umahi said the administration inherited 2,064 ongoing projects valued at over N13 trillion as of May 29, 2023, excluding those under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.
Despite funding constraints, he said road construction and rehabilitation were progressing nationwide, adding that while the entire federal road network could not be completed within one four-year term, sustained efforts over the next five years would significantly transform Nigeria’s infrastructure.
He therefore urged Nigerians to support the continuity of the Tinubu administration beyond 2027 to consolidate infrastructure gains critical to economic growth.
Responding on behalf of the firms, CHOMC’s Acting Executive Director (Operations), Stephen Lee, assured the federal Ministry that standard anti-dust measures would be deployed across all construction sites. He also pledged full mobilisation on the 7th Axial Road in Lagos and the rehabilitation of failed sections along the Mararraba–Lafia corridor.
Umahi, however, concluded by warning that contractors must meet agreed standards or face decisive consequences, as the Federal Government remains committed to delivering safe, durable, and value-driven road infrastructure for Nigerians.
