Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared the Suleja-Minna road project an emergency, citing its deplorable condition and the devastating impact it has on travelers. The road, which was initially awarded to Salini Nigeria Limited, has been plagued by poor workmanship and abandonment, despite efforts to get the contractors to repair it over the past year and a half.
During an inspection of the road, Umahi described the situation as “very terrible,” with travel times delayed by seven hours instead of the usual one and a half hours. He also noted that vehicles are falling and killing people due to the road’s condition. The minister attributed the problem to the contractors, who were funded but failed to deliver quality work.
Umahi explained that the project was inherited from the past administration, and despite funding, the contractors’ work was subpar. He accused some individuals of lobbying for Salini to continue the project, despite its failed track record, calling it “wickedness” that allows people to suffer.
The minister announced that the contract with Salini has been terminated due to the poor work and that the company still owes the government money. He directed his ministry to recover the debt by deducting the amount from the section of the road equal to what Salini owes. If Salini fails to comply, the ministry will seek the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to recover the government’s money.
Umahi also revealed that two contractors are now working on the road project, including CCCC International Engineering Nigeria Ltd, which has been handling part of the project as part of the governor’s urban renewal agenda. The governor has done about 60 kilometers of the road, leaving 146 kilometers to be completed. The minister gave CCCC 10 days to mobilize and begin work on the most critical seven-kilometer stretch of the road, emphasizing that this is an emergency procurement where work begins first, and pricing is verified later by the Bureau of Public Procurement.
The minister’s declaration of the road project as an emergency highlights the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s infrastructure challenges and ensuring that contractors are held accountable for their work. With the new approach, the government aims to provide relief to travelers and stimulate economic growth in the region.
