Works Minister, Umahi terminates some major roads contracts for poor performance, others

In efforts to speed up construction works and relieve traffic congestion along the Federal Highways where projects are going on, the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE on 25th November 2025, met with all the contractors handling ongoing projects from Abuja to Lokoja, and following the outcome of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached:

A statement signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works noted:

39. Contract for the Provision of Culverts and Drains at Flood Prone Area on Federal Road Network in the North-Central Zone: Section 2 (3km: CH.13+000 – CH.16+000) Abuja – Lokoja C/No.8493(Rigid Pavement) being handled by Messrs. Sadogi Nigeria Limited. Project was awarded on 4th April 2024 and only 39.04% completed with 112.88% time elapsed. The Honourable Minister directed the following:
40. Mutual termination of the contract based on effluxion of time;
41. The contractor should work within the limit of the advance paid to them, after which the final determination account is to be carried out.
42. Contract for the Rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Section 4A: CH. 23 + 400 – CH. 26 + 400 RHS in Kogi State, Contract No.8476 being handled by Messrs. Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd.

The project was awarded on 13th July 2024, and only 33.79% completed with 131.15% time elapsed. The Honourable Minister directed the following:

1. Mutual termination of the contract based on effluxion of time;
2. The contractor should work within the limit of the advance paid to them, after which the final determination of the account is to be carried out.
3. Contract for the Rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Section IVB (Flooded Section, CH.23+400 – CH.26+395) LHS Contract No. 8490 being handled by Messrs. Sailthrough Engineering Service Ltd.

The Honourable Minister  directed that the contractor should immediately submit a letter of commitment to complete the project on or before the 20th December 2025, and the contractor has complied even though the ministry is owing the contractor.

1. Contract for the Reconstruction of Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi State. Contract No. 7648 being handled by Messrs. CCECC Nigeria Ltd.

The project was awarded on 18th November 2022, and only 2.02% completed with 146.92% time elapsed. The Honourable Minister directed the following:

1. Mutual termination of the contract based on effluxion of time;
2. The contractor should work within the limit of the advance paid to them, after which the final determination of the account is to be carried out;

iii. Mutual termination of Supervisory Consultancy Services because of lack of funding.

E.Contract for the Rehabilitation of Lokoja Shintaku-Dekina-Ayingba Road Contract No. 7239 being handled by TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd*

The project was awarded on 3rd February 2022 and only 1.04% completed with 188.77% time elapsed. The Honourable Minister directed the following:

1. Mutual termination of the contract based on effluxion of time;
2. The contractor should work within the limit of advance paid to them, after with the final determination account to be carried out.

iii. Mutual termination of Supervisory Consultancy Services because of no funding.

7333. Messrs. Geld/ Triacta Nigeria Limited (JV) handling the Reconstruction of Existing pavement and completion of additional pavement on Dualization of Abuja – Lokoja highways Section III: Abaji – Koton Karfe (Ch. 82 + 000 – CH. 131 + 362), Contract No. 7333.

The project was awarded on 7th March 2022 and 16.71% completed with 125.00% time elapsed. The Honourable Minister directed as follows:

1. Within seven (7) days, they should resume work in bad sections of the road
2. Reinstate the shoulders up to stone base level and patch the potholes on the carriageway for free flow of traffic during construction.
3. The Honourable Minister commended Messrs. JRB Construction Nigeria Limited for their performance on the rehabilitation works on Section 1 of Abuja – Lokoja road and directed that the project be completed before 10th December 2025.
4. Contract for the Rehabilitation of Koton Karfe – Abaji road (47.862km: CH. 82 + 000 – CH. 129 + 862) Abuja bound, along Abuja – Lokoja route in Kogi State, Contract No. 8552 handled by Trucrete Solutions Limited.

The project was awarded on 22nd May 2024, and 40% completed with 58.33% time elapsed. The road is 47.862Km road and is being executed on concrete (CRCP), and the project is progressing steadily so as it can be completed as scheduled.

1. The Honourable Minister of Works directed that all outstanding works from Abuja to Lokoja, including all to be mutually terminated projects to be compiled for immediate emergency intervention.
2. The Honourable Minister of Works thanked Mr. President for his kind interventions on the entire stretches of the road (Abuja-Lokoja), which is about 179km x 2 (358km).
3. The Honourable Minister apologized to all road users on the Abuja – Lokoja Expressway and urged them to bear with the Ministry on the inconveniences they are experiencing on the road due to multiple intervention projects that are on – going and assured that work would be completed soon.