By Sandra Ugwu 

The Federal Government has withdrawn the Abuja-bound section of the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway from China Harbour Engineering Company and reassigned it to local contractors, following what it described as the firm’s poor performance and disregard for project directives.

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, announced the decision on Saturday during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre Mararaba-Keffi stretch of the highway.

Umahi, visibly displeased with the pace and quality of work by the foreign contractor, said the ministry could no longer tolerate non-compliance with standards and repeated violations of contractual instructions.

“I am disappointed with the Abuja-bound carriageway. China Harbour has not cooperated with us despite several interventions,” Umahi said. “Some contractors behave as though they are not partners with government — they only focus on payment, not performance.”

The Minister revealed that the original ₦73 billion contract, which covered both carriageways, had been redesigned under the current administration to improve durability and cut maintenance costs. The new design involves reconstructing both inner and outer shoulders with 20-centimetre-thick concrete, milling off the existing asphalt, stabilising the base with 3.5 percent cement, and applying a new binder and wearing course.

According to Umahi, completed sections built under this revised method are expected to last up to 40 years. However, he noted that China Harbour’s handling of the Abuja-bound side failed to meet expectations.

“You cannot do pavement without completing the shoulders because such negligence causes road failure,” he said. “China Harbour must not force me to declare them enemies of the Ministry of Works.”

He ordered that local contractors be immediately mobilised to take over the project, with separate firms handling the inner and outer shoulders using concrete pavement technology.

Umahi also warned contractors against lobbying or blackmailing ministry officials through political stakeholders whenever they are held accountable.

“When we insist on standards, some contractors run to stakeholders to tarnish our image. But the President understands what we are doing,” he said. “If anyone in the Ministry asks you for money, report it publicly. We will take decisive action.”

The Minister reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to quality infrastructure delivery and will continue to prioritise competent local contractors capable of meeting new engineering standards.

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