The Federal Government has issued stern warnings and deadlines to China Harbour Engineering Company and its sister firm, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company, over alleged substandard work, slow mobilisation, and environmental hazards on key federal road projects across the country.

The warnings followed a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, with top officials of the Ministry and representatives of the two Chinese firms at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

The companies are concessionaires on the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway and are also handling other strategic road projects, including the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road and the 7th Axial Road in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, Umahi said the meeting was convened to address mounting public complaints, safeguard government investments, and enforce strict contractor accountability under the Renewed Hope administration.

The minister disclosed that the Ministry had received a formal petition from residents along the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu corridor over excessive dust generated by construction activities, which posed serious environmental and public health risks.

Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately issue a warning letter to the contractor, mandating the deployment of soil stabilisation and other approved dust-control measures.

He warned that failure to resolve the issue within seven days would result in suspension of the project.

The statement read: “During the meeting, several concerns relating to CHEC and CHOMC’s projects were reviewed, and firm warnings and directives were issued to safeguard public health, ensure quality delivery and sustainability, and protect government investment.

“The Ministry received a formal petition over the ongoing Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu road project, where excessive dust from construction activities has continued to pose environmental and health risks to residents on the corridor. Therefore, he directed that the Permanent Secretary issue a letter to the contractor, mandating immediate dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation techniques, to be implemented.”

The Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway is one of the Federal Government’s strategic north-central transport corridors, linking the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa and Benue states and serving as a major gateway to the South-East and parts of the North-East.

Originally conceived as a dual carriageway to ease congestion, reduce travel time, and improve safety on a historically accident-prone route, the project was awarded under previous administrations and later restructured into a concession and operation-and-maintenance framework involving CHEC and CHOMC.

On the dualisation of the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road, Umahi noted that while the project was initiated by the previous administration, the present government had completed and tolled some sections.

However, he expressed concern that parts of the road completed under the last administration were already failing.

Consequently, the minister reiterated his earlier directive that the first five kilometres of the road must be milled and reconstructed with concrete pavement, properly re-asphalted and re-marked, giving the contractor seven days to commence corrective works.

He also ordered the rehabilitation of other failed portions along the corridor through milling and overlay, with particular attention to defective sections around Nasarawa State University, failed bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainages, washouts, and poor vegetation control.

“Portions of the earlier completed road by the past administration were already failing. Consequently, he reiterated his previous directive that the first five kilometres of the project must be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and properly re-marked, stressing that the contractor has been given seven days to commence the work,” the statement added.

Umahi further instructed that all road furniture, including signage and safety installations, must be reinstated after the maintenance works.

The minister also directed the contractor to strengthen highway safety management by improving corridor monitoring and ensuring the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles to reduce accidents and traffic obstructions.

While expressing deep concern over the slow pace of work on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, Umahi lamented that site mobilisation remained grossly inadequate despite repeated engagements with the contractor in both Lagos and Abuja.

He revealed that substantial mobilisation funds had already been paid to CHEC, yet critical construction equipment had not been deployed, with only minimal site clearance carried out.

“If full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, we will recover the funds and take firm contractual action,” the minister warned.

Umahi stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would no longer tolerate poor execution, undue delays, or disregard for contractual standards.

He said warning letters, withholding of certificates, and broader contractual sanctions would be applied where necessary.

Assuring Nigerians of the government’s responsiveness, the minister said the Federal Government remained committed to protecting lives, ensuring infrastructure integrity, and delivering value for public funds.

He added that Tinubu was determined to break away from practices that undermine national development and public confidence in government projects.

Providing background, Umahi disclosed that the administration inherited 2,064 ongoing projects valued at over N13 trillion as of May 29, 2023, excluding those under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

Despite funding constraints, he said road construction and rehabilitation were progressing nationwide, noting that while the entire federal road network could not be completed within a single four-year term, sustained effort over the next five years would significantly transform Nigeria’s infrastructure.

He therefore urged Nigerians to support the continuity of the Tinubu administration beyond 2027 to consolidate gains in infrastructure and transportation, which he described as key enablers of economic growth.

Responding on behalf of the two companies, the Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Stephen Lee, pledged that industry-standard anti-dust measures would be deployed on all construction sites.

He also assured the Ministry of full mobilisation on the 7th Axial Road in Lagos and the rehabilitation of failed sections along the Mararraba–Lafia corridor.

The minister, however, concluded by reiterating that contractors must either meet agreed standards or face firm consequences, as the Federal Government remains resolute in delivering safe, durable, and value-driven road infrastructure to Nigerians. (PUNCH)

Update news