Umahi inspects Mararaba–Keffi road project, gives contractor February deadline for completion

The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, on Friday directed 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.

Umahi gave the order on Friday at an inspection tour of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi road expansion project, instructing the contractor to submit a detailed work timetable and a written commitment to deliver the project by the end of February.

The minister further directed the company to immediately remove the hand-moulded caps along the road and commence concreting of the median, while ensuring the installation of solar-powered streetlights across the entire 43km stretch.

Umahi expressed worry over the contractor’s failure to comply with earlier directives, attributing 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.”

The minister emphasized that ministry officials on site possess the authority to enforce directives issued by the minister or his representatives, noting that failure by a contractor to comply should attract denial of certificates or prompt escalation to the Permanent Secretary, Head of Department, or the minister himself.

He therefore 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,” he said.

Umahi alleged that the same official had earlier issued certificates for palliative works that were not executed, resulting in undue payments.

Reading the riot act to ministry staff, Umahi declared 2026 an “action year,” warning that indiscipline and negligence would no longer be tolerated.

According to him: “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 enjoined ministry staff and contractors to discharge their duties responsibly in the interest of Nigerians, adding that sanctions imposed on erring officers would stand, except reversed by God Almighty or the President.

He said: “I need your prayers. I will have many fights, but I am not afraid of any.”

During the inspection, the Minister also made stopovers at several points along the corridor, including the Keffi flyover.