The Federal Government has threatened to revoke the contract for the Abuja-Lokoja highway reconstruction if the contractor fails to accelerate work, Minister of Works David Umahi said on Saturday during an inspection of the project.
Umahi acknowledged the quality of work delivered so far but expressed concern over the slow pace. “The quality of the job is excellent, the pace of the work is nonsense,” he said. He told the contractor that payment would be made according to milestone completion, and warned that “for those who cannot meet up, we will divide their jobs and give to those who can.”
The minister provided specific figures for the ongoing third section of the highway, stating that 53 kilometers of road have been allocated N56 billion and must be completed by April 2026. He noted that while the project was initially planned for asphalt, the contractor opted for concrete at the same price after determining it was a better option.
“We are giving you an advance notice, and the advance notice is that you should start another gang,” Umahi said. “If I come again in November and the work is still like this, I will discontinue the job.”
He emphasised that the government will pay for completed work promptly, adding, “We will pay him within the next 30 days. We are surprising with payment.”
Umahi highlighted the government’s preference for indigenous contractors. “I encourage our indigenous contractors so that they can compete with the expatriates. They are not only competing, they are beating a number of expatriates,” he said, also commending the cooperation of the Kogi State government and people.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, underscored the project’s priority under President Bola Tinubu. “This project is one of the priority projects of the President. My appeal to the contractors handling this project is to double your effort,” Goronyo said. “Deliver this project on time because we will not accept any excuse. The money is there, and of course, there is a time for completion.”
Representing Governor Ahmed Ododo, Kogi State Commissioner for Works Mohammed Yusuf reiterated the importance of the highway for regional development.
“Our roads are in bad condition. We cannot achieve a greater height in terms of economic development without accessibility. That is why we are always praying for President Tinubu to succeed,” Yusuf said.
Umahi concluded by stressing that the government’s priority is both timely completion and quality.
“The other section of the route, which is about 86 kilometres, is also being procured. If this contractor increases his pace of work, we will ask him to join the contractors that we bid for that one,” he said.
