Makurdi–Enugu Road: FG gives contractor seven-day ultimatum to address safety concerns

2026-02-06 - 08:38

By John Alechenu, Abuja The Federal Government has given China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister firm, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), a seven-day ultimatum to address public safety and environmental concerns on the Makurdi–Enugu Road project or face sanctions. The ultimatum was issued by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, during a high-level meeting with contractors and concessionaires handling the Mararaba–Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Dual Carriageway, held at his office in Abuja. Umahi said the meeting was convened to address public complaints and enforce contractor accountability on projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. A statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, said the meeting reviewed several concerns relating to projects handled by CHEC and CHOMC, with warnings and directives issued to safeguard public health, ensure quality delivery and protect government investment. According to the statement, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry had received a formal petition over the ongoing Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road project, citing excessive dust from construction activities that poses environmental and health risks to residents along the corridor. He consequently directed the Permanent Secretary to issue a letter to the contractor mandating the immediate implementation of dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation techniques. Umahi warned that failure to resolve the issue within seven days would lead to the suspension of the project. On the dualisation of the Mararaba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road, the Minister noted that although the project was initiated by the previous administration, the current government completed some sections and introduced tolling. However, he observed that portions of the road completed earlier were already failing. As a result, Umahi reiterated his directive that the first five kilometres of the road must be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and properly re-marked, stressing that the contractor had seven days to commence the work. He further directed that other failed sections along the dual carriageway be rehabilitated through proper milling and overlay, with particular attention to poorly executed areas around Nasarawa State University. The Minister also ordered repairs to failed bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainage channels and washouts, as well as constant vegetation control. He added that all road furniture must be reinstated after maintenance works. Emphasising improved highway safety management, Umahi directed the contractor to strengthen corridor monitoring and ensure the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles to prevent obstructions and accidents. Expressing concern over the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, the Minister said site mobilisation remained inadequate despite repeated engagements with the contractor in Lagos and Abuja. He noted that substantial mobilisation funds had already been paid to CHEC, yet critical machinery had not been deployed, with only minimal site clearance observed. “If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds and take firm contractual action,” Umahi warned. The Minister stressed that the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu would no longer tolerate poor execution, delays or disregard for agreed standards, adding that warning letters, withholding of certificates and other contractual sanctions would be applied where necessary. He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains responsive to public concerns and committed to protecting lives, ensuring infrastructure integrity and securing value for public funds. Responding on behalf of the companies, the Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Mr. Stephen Lee, pledged that industry-standard anti-dust measures would be implemented across all construction sites, alongside adequate mobilisation, full commencement of work on the 7th Axial Road, and rehabilitation of failed sections of the Mararaba–Lafia Road.