In a bid to end the delays as well as tighten oversight on the ongoing road projects across the country, the Federal Government has removed the Controller of Works supervising the FCT section of the Mararaba–Keffi Motorway project and issued a February 28, 2026, deadline to the contractor to complete and hand over the road.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced the decision on Friday during an inspection of the ongoing expansion of the 43-kilometre Mararaba–Keffi corridor, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work.
Umahi accused the removed Controller of Works of issuing fraudulent certificates that allegedly enabled payments for jobs that were either incomplete or not executed, including earlier palliative works on the road.
He immediately directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works to redeploy the affected officer and appoint a new Controller to take over supervision of the project.
The minister stressed that supervising officials have the authority to withhold certificates and report any contractor that fails to comply with project terms, warning that negligence would attract sanctions.
He added that the disciplinary measures already taken would remain in force unless reversed by the President, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s action.
Umahi also ordered China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractor handling the project, to submit a detailed work programme and a written commitment showing readiness to meet the February deadline.
He blamed the slow progress on both the contractor and internal supervisory failures within the ministry, insisting that all parties must take responsibility for delivering the road to Nigerians on schedule.
He ordered the immediate removal of hand-moulded caps along the road, instructed that concreting of the median should commence without delay, and directed the installation of solar-powered streetlights along the entire stretch.
“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,” the minister said.
He noted that repeated inspection visits had yielded little improvement.
Umahi warned that indiscipline, negligence and failure to enforce directives would no longer be tolerated in the ministry.
During the inspection, the minister also assessed progress at key points along the corridor, including the Keffi flyover, where he reiterated that both contractors and ministry officials must discharge their duties diligently in the interest of Nigerians.
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