The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, on Friday ordered the contractor handling a 43-kilometre section of the Mararaba–Keffi Expressway, China Harbour Engineering Company, to complete and hand over the project on or before February 28, 2026.
He gave the directive during an inspection tour of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi road expansion project.
The Minister also directed the contractor to submit a detailed work timetable and a written commitment to deliver the project by the end of February.
Sen. Umahi further directed the contractor to immediately remove the hand-moulded caps along the road, commence concreting of the median, and ensure installation of solar-powered streetlights across the 43km Expressway.
Expressing displeasure over the contractor’s failure to comply with earlier directives, Sen Umahi blamed the lapse to negligence by officials of the Ministry assigned to the project site.
He said “I am giving you the end of February to hand over this job. You must come to my office on Wednesday with your timetable and a commitment to complete the project by then.
“We directed that these hand-moulded caps be removed. I have been here more than eight times. Now the problem is my staff, and today I will set an example of what 2026 will be like for all of us in doing this job.” he added
The Minister insisted that the ministry officials on site have the authority to enforce directives issued by the Minister or his representatives.
Failure by a contractor to comply, he said, should attract denial of certificates or prompt escalation to the Permanent Secretary, Head of Department, or the Minister himself.
To this end, Sen Umahi also ordered the immediate removal of a Controller of Works, whom he accused of issuing fraudulent certificates that led to payments for uncompleted jobs.
“Today, I am directing the Permanent Secretary to remove the Controller with immediate effect and send him to my office to learn how to obey instructions. Another Controller should be redeployed immediately to take over,” the Minister said.
He accused the same official of earlier issuing certificates for palliative works that were not executed, resulting in undue payments.
He stressed that indiscipline and negligence would no longer be tolerated, especially in the year 2026.
“Nobody will be spared. Discipline is our watchword. Diligence is our watchword. Doing the work we are paid to do is our watchword.
“When action is taken, no amount of pleading will reverse it. I report directly to Mr. President.” the Minister stated
Sen Umahi urged ministry staff and contractors to discharge their duties responsibly in the interest of Nigerians,
Sanctions imposed on erring officers, he warned, would stand, except reversed by God Almighty or the President.
“I need your prayers. I will have many fights, but I am not afraid of any.” he said