The Federal Government has terminated several Abuja–Lokoja highway contracts after a performance audit revealed poor delivery and significant delays on key sections of the strategic corridor.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja after a review session with contractors handling various portions of the highway. He said the move became necessary following persistent underperformance, missed deadlines, and what he described as “effluxion of time” on multiple projects.
Umahi, represented by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, said the terminated jobs include the provision of culverts and drains on Section 2 of the Abuja–Lokoja road handled by Messrs Sadogi Nigeria Ltd. Awarded in April 2024, only 39.04 per cent of the work had been completed despite exceeding the project timeline by 112 per cent.
Another cancelled contract is the rehabilitation of Abuja–Lokoja Section 4A handled by Messrs Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd. The project, awarded in July 2024, recorded just 33.79 per cent completion even though 131 per cent of the contract time had elapsed.
According to the minister, “There was mutual termination based on effusion of time. Contractors are to work only within the limit of the advance payment received, after which a final determination account will be carried out.”
Also affected is the rehabilitation of the flooded section of Abuja–Lokoja Section IVB (CH.23+400 – CH.26+395) by Sailthrough Engineering Service Ltd. Umahi said the company has now submitted a written commitment to complete the job before December 20.
The reconstruction of the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe road, handled by CCECC Nigeria Ltd, was equally terminated. Awarded in November 2022, the project achieved only 2.02 per cent progress despite a 146 per cent lapse in the contract timeline. The supervising consultancy services were also cancelled due to lack of funding.
The rehabilitation of the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Ayingba road awarded to TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd in February 2022, with only 1.04 per cent work done, suffered the same fate.
However, the ministry ordered Messrs Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd (JV), handling Section III (Abaji–Koton Karfe), to return to site within seven days and fix the worst stretches of the road. JRB Construction Nigeria Ltd, which the minister commended for good performance, was directed to complete Section I before December 10.
Umahi said all terminated projects will be compiled for immediate emergency intervention to ease the hardship faced by motorists on the critical highway.
He apologised to Nigerians for the inconveniences caused by the prolonged rehabilitation works and thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as “consistent support” on the 358-kilometre dual carriageway.
“The inconveniences are due to multiple emergency interventions ongoing simultaneously. We assure road users that the work will be completed soon,” Umahi said.
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