Umahi Cracks Down on Delayed Road Projects, Warns Contractors Against Tarnishing Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive

By Pan Afric Reporters

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to contractors handling Federal Government road projects across the country, declaring that poor performance and project delays will no longer be tolerated as the Tinubu administration intensifies efforts to deliver critical infrastructure to Nigerians.

Umahi, who expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway and the Obajana Junction–Benin Road dualisation project, warned that contractors who fail to meet agreed timelines risk contract termination.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Works and signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director of Information and Public Relations, on June 10, 2026.

Speaking during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing road and bridge projects in Kogi and Edo states, the Minister lamented that reports submitted to the Ministry did not accurately reflect the realities on project sites.

“I am very sad with what I saw on the ground. What was reported to us is not reflected in the actual work being done,” Umahi stated.

The Minister revealed that funding constraints had compelled the Ministry to reduce the scope of one section of the Abuja-Lokoja road project from 49.28 kilometres to 28 kilometres in order to concentrate available resources on the most critical portions of the highway.

He reiterated the Ministry’s directive that no section of any Federal highway should remain closed to motorists for more than 14 days during construction, warning that failure to comply would attract sanctions.

As part of efforts to accelerate project delivery, Umahi handed an ultimatum to the affected contractor to complete the required section within the stipulated period or face termination of the contract.

He also issued a separate 72-hour ultimatum to GELD Construction Company, directing the firm to demonstrate visible progress on its section of the project by effectively utilising funds already released by the Federal Government.

“If everybody does his job accordingly, there will be no reason to shift the blame to Mr. President,” the Minister said.

While criticizing underperforming contractors, Umahi singled out JRB Construction Company for commendation, describing its performance as a model of professionalism, quality delivery and commitment to national development.

The Minister noted that a significant portion of Nigeria’s federal road infrastructure had deteriorated before the current administration took office, stressing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited enormous infrastructure deficits but has continued to prioritize road rehabilitation and modernization nationwide.

He further directed Federal Controllers of Works, Engineers’ Representatives and project supervisors to intensify monitoring and enforce accountability at all project sites.

“All procurement processes and expenditures must be properly justified,” he insisted.

During the inspection exercise, the Minister visited the reconstruction and expansion works on Section III of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway, including projects being executed by Trucrete Solutions Limited on the Koton Karfe-Abuja axis.

He also inspected critical bridge projects along the corridor as well as the ongoing dualisation of the Lokoja-Benin Road, covering the Obajana Junction–Okene and Okene–Auchi sections across Kogi and Edo states.

Umahi further assessed progress on flyover and interchange projects being executed by CCG Contractors, noting that the flyovers had reached about 80 per cent completion while the interchange stood at approximately 30 per cent.

Speaking during the tour, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, commended the Minister’s leadership and commitment to ensuring value for public funds.

According to him, political leaders should no longer bear responsibility for the failures of contractors.

“Nigerians expect tangible results and timely project delivery,” Onyesoh said, while urging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt release of funds for ongoing projects.

Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, called for greater support for the Ministry’s efforts to improve the nation’s road network.

He assured contractors that the Federal Government remained committed to honouring all legitimate payment obligations and also praised JRB Construction Company for its investment and dedication to infrastructure development.

Responding to the concerns raised during the inspection, the Managing Director of GELD Construction Company, Mr. Fadi Azimi, pledged to intensify work and improve project delivery in line with the Ministry’s expectations.

The Ministry of Works reaffirmed its resolve to tackle the challenge of non-performing contractors and vowed to strengthen supervision, accountability and quality control mechanisms to ensure the timely completion of road and bridge projects across the country.

The latest inspection underscores the Federal Government’s determination to accelerate infrastructure delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda while ensuring that contractors are held accountable for every project entrusted to them.