FG May Terminate Kogi Road Contracts Over Poor Performance

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the slow pace of work on two critical road projects in Kogi State and may terminate the contracts if contractors fail to account for funds already disbursed. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with stakeholders, noting that the government cannot continue to tolerate poor performance on projects that are vital for national development.

In a statement released by his media aide, Uchenna Orji, the minister confirmed that he had held discussions with the contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Anyigba road and the reconstruction of the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe dual carriageway, with a view to determining the way forward. Both projects, awarded in 2022, were expected to be completed by 2024 but have fallen significantly behind schedule.

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Government’s Roadmap for Accountability

Minister Umahi explained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to delivering a road infrastructure revolution built on quality, efficiency, and transparency. According to him, this requires holding contractors accountable for funds already released and ensuring that taxpayers’ money is not wasted.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to a road infrastructure revolution anchored on the core values of quality, speed, and value for money in project delivery,” Umahi said.

He emphasized that inherited contracts must either meet government expectations or be terminated to pave the way for credible alternatives.

CCECC Faces 30-Day Ultimatum

One of the projects under scrutiny is being executed by CCECC Nigeria Limited, covering a 52.27-kilometre stretch of the Lokoja–Anyigba axis. Despite receiving an advance payment of ₦2.5 billion, the contractor has so far achieved only 1.97 per cent completion.

“The contract was awarded in 2022 with a length of 52.27 kilometres. But the contractor has only achieved 1.97 per cent completion (binder) on one alignment despite receiving ₦2.5 billion advance payment,” Umahi lamented.

To address the situation, the minister directed the Director of Highways (North Central) to issue a formal warning letter to CCECC. The company has been given 30 days to return to site and deliver work commensurate with the money already paid, using the old contract rate. Should the company fail to meet this directive, the balance of the job will be terminated and re-awarded.

TEC Engineering Risks Contract Termination

The second project, awarded to TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Limited, involves the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe dual carriageway with a spur from Dekina to Ugbabo. Like CCECC, the company has also made very little progress despite receiving government funds.

Umahi revealed that TEC Engineering had received ₦1 billion but had only recorded 1.04 per cent completion. He warned that the contractor must achieve a milestone of at least three kilometres of asphalt by December 2025, after which a final account will be made.

“The contractor should lay three kilometres of asphalt by December 2025, after which a final account will be made based on the milestone completed and the job will be terminated on a mutual basis,” he said.

The minister added that all future fund releases under the 2025 budget would be assessed at new rates, while assessments of already disbursed funds would remain tied to the old rate.

Termination of Consultancy Services

In addition to questioning the contractors’ performance, Umahi ordered the termination of consultancy services on both projects. He explained that the Federal Government would engage new consultants to ensure more effective supervision and delivery.

According to him, the current situation reflects not only the shortcomings of contractors but also weaknesses in project monitoring and consultancy services.

High-Level Stakeholder Meeting

The Abuja meeting where these decisions were reached was attended by top officials of the Ministry of Works, including I. D. Daikwo, Director of Highways (North Central); I. U. Usman, Deputy Director of Highways (North Central); Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations; and Gana Patiko, Federal Controller of Works, Kogi State.

Also present were representatives of the contractors — Mr. Shaun, Marketing Manager of TEC Engineering, and Mr. Zhou, Senior Executive Director of CCECC. Project consultants Mr. Sesan Adeboyejo and Ene Wakama participated, as well as the Kogi State Commissioner of Works, Muhammed Yusuf, who represented the state government.

The meeting, Umahi explained, was convened to strike a balance between accountability and fairness, giving contractors a final chance to justify the funds already released.

Tinubu’s Infrastructure Revolution

Road development has been a key pillar of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on completing inherited projects while initiating new ones. Umahi has consistently emphasized that poor performance and inflated contracts will no longer be tolerated under the new administration.

By issuing warnings and setting clear milestones, the minister hopes to establish a culture of accountability that ensures roads are built to standard and completed within agreed timelines.

For the people of Kogi State, the Lokoja–Anyigba and Okene–Itobe roads are not just infrastructure projects but lifelines that connect communities, support businesses, and boost economic activity. Their completion is expected to ease transportation challenges, improve trade, and enhance safety along the corridor.

Whether the current contractors will rise to the challenge or lose their contracts now depends on their ability to deliver within the timelines set by the Federal Government. For Umahi, however, one thing is clear: taxpayers deserve value for money, and the era of abandoned road projects must end.