Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued an ultimatum to contractors handling federal road projects, threatening to terminate their contracts because of slow progress. He made the announcement during an inspection of roads in Edo State, specifically the Benin‑Ekpoma‑Auchi Expressway and the Benin‑Asaba Expressway. Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and warned that their contracts would be terminated if significant improvements were not made by Monday.
In contrast, the minister commended BUA International for the quality of work on the Ekpoma section of the expressway, but urged the company to accelerate completion of the first 10 km before the end of October. He also emphasized that federal directors and controllers must actively monitor project sites rather than remain in their offices, warning that failure to do so could result in redeployment to Abuja.
During the inspection tour, Umahi highlighted the deplorable condition of some roads and instructed contractors to provide palliative measures to alleviate the suffering of road users. The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has prioritized road construction and rehabilitation, focusing on durability and sustainability. The minister noted that the president is committed to “rewriting the history of road construction in Nigeria.”
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State expressed gratitude to the president for prioritizing roads in the state, saying the initiative has inspired confidence among the people. The Federal Ministry of Works has handed over the completion of one full carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government, with design responsibilities remaining with the federal government and execution managed locally by the state. This arrangement is expected to facilitate timely completion of the project and improve road infrastructure in the state.
With the ultimatum issued to contractors, the Nigerian government is taking a firm stance to ensure that road projects are completed efficiently and effectively.
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