Nigerian Government Sacks Chinese Firm on Major Road Project Over “Poor Performance”
In a strong move signaling a zero-tolerance approach to shoddy work, the Federal Government has withdrawn the Abuja-bound section of the critical Mararaba–Keffi road reconstruction project from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision during an inspection on Saturday, citing the company’s “poor performance” and repeated failure to cooperate and maintain the other carriageway for safe public use.
The Contractor’s “Uncooperative Attitude”
The 43.65-kilometre dual carriageway, vital for commuters accessing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Nasarawa State, will now be handed over to local contractors.
Minister Umahi expressed deep disappointment, stating that the project was withdrawn not just for performance issues but for the contractor’s attitude, which he described as “uncooperative.”
Failure to Maintain: The company repeatedly disregarded directives to maintain the unworked carriageway, jeopardizing road user safety.
Focus on Profit: Umahi warned that some contractors are “only interested in the money” rather than partnering with the government to deliver quality infrastructure.
“The second carriageway going to Abuja is hereby withdrawn from China Harbour,” Umahi declared. Local contractors will be immediately mobilized to handle the inner and outer shoulders using concrete, signaling a shift toward more durable materials.
New Directives: Quality Over Profit
The Minister issued stringent directives to all contractors and supervising personnel, making it clear that shortcuts and substandard work will no longer be tolerated:
Immediate Maintenance: Contractors must keep sites free of potholes and defects at all times.
Order of Work: Shoulders must be completed before laying the final binder or pavement.
Accountability: Certificates of payment issued for substandard work are “unacceptable.”
Consequences: Controllers and directors who fail to escalate site issues within 24 hours will face immediate recall.
Umahi emphasized that road user safety takes precedence over contractor profit and urged state authorities to monitor all federal road projects closely to prevent delays and ensure construction quality.
Cost Justification: Why Roads Are Expensive
During the inspection, the Minister also took the opportunity to defend the N73 billion allocated by the previous administration for the Mararaba–Keffi project, which was extended from 43 to 45 kilometres.
Umahi explained that project costs per kilometre cannot be easily generalized, as they depend entirely on construction methods and materials (e.g., asphalt vs. concrete) and include necessary factors like contingency and Variation of Price (VOP). He clarified that requests for cost per kilometre without considering these technical details are often misleading.
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