By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has threatened to revoke the contract for the construction of Abuja-Keffi section of the Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi Highway if the contractor, Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), fails to make appreciable progress within 14 days.

Umahi handed down the threat during an on-the-spot assessment of the project on his way to inspect the collection of tolls on the Keffi-Akwanga section of the road.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, in Abuja, late on Friday.

He said, “Engr. Umahi also addressed the slow progress of the remaining works, the Abuja-Keffi section, directing that the contractor, Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), direct that a 14-day Notice of Termination be issued to them immediately due to unsatisfactory performance and effluxion of time.

“He berated the company for achieving a meagre 8.7% of the project despite receiving mobilisation funds, also surpassing 46% of the agreed timeline.

Umahi said, “The people are suffering, and the President is deeply concerned. Contractors cannot continue to mismanage Nigeria’s resources while failing to deliver as agreed. If there is no significant improvement within 14 days, we will take over the job.”

According to Ahmed, the minister further directed that mobilisation funds already disbursed would not be subject to any review, reiterating that contractors must be held accountable for delays resulting in cost escalations.

He also quoted the minister as instructing that the road median be reconfigured and equipped with solar-powered lights to enhance visibility and safety in the corridor.

He said, “The minister also mandated the immediate reconstruction of all failed sections of the completed alignment (Kebbi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi), stressing that substandard work would not be tolerated by the present administration.

“Reaffirming the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to delivering high-quality road infrastructure to Nigerians, he assured the public that necessary corrective measures would be implemented.

To underscore the level of seriousness attached to the project, Umahi said, “The President has granted the Ministry full authority to terminate any contract where political interests take precedence over performance.”

He also warned that “China Harbour Engineering Company, in particular, has been issued an ultimatum to complete one full carriageway by April or face termination of the contract.

Earlier, the minister, while assessing the progress being made on the e-collection of tolls on the completed Keffi–Akwanga alignment of the Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dualisation Project, decried the undue hardship motorists were being subjected to.

Engr. Umahi directed the concessionaire, Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), to immediately increase the number of collection points, deploy more Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, and as well as relief stations for public pleasure and convenience.

The minister, while assuring road users of smoother passage at the toll plaza, promised to revisit the site on Monday, 10th February 2025, to assess compliance with his directives.

He said, “The tollgate is not meant to have this kind of bottleneck. The current operation is inadequate, and we are giving the Concessionaire until Monday to make the necessary improvements. If by then this bottleneck is not resolved, I will release the traffic and replace them.”

Emphasising the importance of relief stations where vehicles can park and access essential amenities, the minister cautioned the operators that failure to comply with this requirement would result in the loss of their business.

“We will not tolerate anyone exploiting the plight of Nigerians. “If you wish to operate in this sector, you must meet the required standards.”