FG TERMINATES FIVE MAJOR ROAD CONTRACTs IN KOGI OVER ‘UNACCEPTABLE DELAYS, NON-PERFORMANCE’
Read Time:2 Minute, 26 Second
The Federal Government has terminated at least five major road contracts in Kogi State, citing “unacceptable delays, non-performance and excessive time overruns” on critical federal road projects.
The decision followed a review meeting chaired by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Wednesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Umahi expressed strong dissatisfaction with the pace of work on the Abuja–Lokoja highway and other strategic roads in the state, warning that non-performing contractors would no longer be indulged.
“These delays are unacceptable. Nigerians are suffering on these roads, and we cannot continue to indulge contractors who have clearly failed to meet obligations,” the minister stated.
The Abuja–Lokoja dual carriageway, spanning 179 kilometres, has been under construction for over 15 years. It remains one of the country’s most problematic road corridors, with persistent gridlock, deteriorated sections and frequent accidents.
Among the terminated contracts are Culverts and Drains on Abuja–Lokoja Road (Section 2), Contract No. 8493 Sadogi Nigeria Ltd
39.04% completion; 112.88% of contract time elapsed.
Mutual termination ordered; contractor to work only within advance already paid.
Abuja–Lokoja Section 4A Rehabilitation, Contract No. 8476 Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd
33.79% completion; 131.15% timeline consumed.
Mutual termination issued; pending reconciliation before further work.
Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe Road Reconstruction, Contract No. 7648 CCECC Nigeria Ltd
Only 2.02% completion; 146.92% time elapsed.
Mutual termination directed; supervising consultancy also terminated.
Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Ayingba Road, Contract No. 7239 TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd
1.04% completion; 188.77% time overrun.
Mutual termination ordered; work restricted to paid advance; consultancy terminated.
Abaji–Koton Karfe Dualisation (Section III) Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd JV
16.71% completion; over 125% timeline elapsed.
Issued a final 7-day ultimatum to return to site and repair failed sections or face sanctions.
For Abuja–Lokoja Section IVB (Flooded Corridor) handled by Sailthrough Engineering Services Ltd, termination was avoided, but a firm completion deadline of December 20, 2025 was issued.
Umahi commended JRB Construction Nigeria Ltd for steady progress on Section 1 of the highway, directing that it be completed by December 10, 2025.
The Koton Karfe–Abaji concrete road (47.86km) by Trucrete Solutions Ltd, at 40% completion with 58.33% time utilised, was also assessed as on schedule.
The minister ordered that all outstanding works from the terminated contracts be compiled for emergency intervention under a special federal works programme.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving multiple interventions on the corridor, describing the highway as “a lifeline for Nigeria’s economy.”
Appealing to the public, he said: “I sincerely apologise to all road users for the hardship along the Abuja–Lokoja axis. Multiple projects are ongoing, and we are working round the clock to ensure early completion.”
The review signals the government’s intention to enforce accountability and accelerate long-overdue infrastructure delivery on one of Nigeria’s busiest road networks.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0