NEWS UPDATE: FG ISSUES SEVEN-DAY ULTIMATUM TO CHINESE CONTRACTOR OVER SUBSTANDARD ROAD PROJECTS

FG ISSUES SEVEN-DAY ULTIMATUM TO CHINESE CONTRACTOR OVER SUBSTANDARD ROAD PROJECTS


The Federal Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its affiliate, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), over alleged substandard work, slow mobilisation, and environmental hazards on key federal road projects across Nigeria.

The ultimatum followed a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, with senior officials of the Ministry and representatives of the two companies at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

The companies are concessionaires on the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway and are also handling other strategic projects, including the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road and the 7th Axial Road in Lagos.

According to the Ministry, the meeting was convened to address growing public complaints, protect government investments, and enforce strict accountability in line with the objectives of the Renewed Hope administration.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry had received a formal petition from residents along the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu corridor over excessive dust generated by construction activities, which reportedly posed serious environmental and public health risks.

Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary to issue an immediate warning letter to the contractor, mandating the deployment of approved dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation techniques. He warned that failure to resolve the issue within seven days would lead to the suspension of the project.

On the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road, Umahi expressed concern that some sections completed under previous administrations were already showing signs of failure.

He consequently reiterated his directive that the first five kilometres of the road be milled and reconstructed using concrete pavement, properly re-asphalted, and re-marked, giving the contractor seven days to commence corrective work.

The Minister also ordered the rehabilitation of other failed sections along the corridor, including damaged bridge expansion joints, defective manhole covers, blocked drainages, erosion-prone areas, and poorly managed vegetation, particularly around Nasarawa State University.

Umahi further instructed that all road furniture, including signage and safety installations, must be reinstated after maintenance works are completed.

On highway safety, the Minister directed the contractor to strengthen corridor monitoring and ensure the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles to reduce traffic obstructions and road accidents.

Meanwhile, Umahi expressed serious concern over the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, noting that mobilisation on the site remained inadequate despite substantial funds already paid to the contractor.

He warned that failure to achieve full mobilisation within the agreed timeframe would compel the government to recover disbursed funds and apply contractual sanctions.

The Minister stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would no longer tolerate poor execution, undue delays, or disregard for contractual standards, adding that warning letters, withholding of certificates, and other sanctions would be applied where necessary.

He reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering safe, durable, and value-driven road infrastructure, while protecting lives and public funds.

Responding on behalf of the companies, the Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Stephen Lee, assured the Ministry that standard anti-dust measures would be deployed across all construction sites and that full mobilisation would be achieved on the Lagos project, alongside the rehabilitation of failed sections on the Mararraba–Lafia corridor.

The Minister concluded by reiterating that contractors must meet agreed standards or face firm consequences, as the government remains resolute in improving national infrastructure.

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