The Federal Government has canceled at least five major road contracts in Kogi State due to repeated delays, substandard performance, and significant time overruns on key federal highway projects. The decision followed a review meeting with contractors, chaired by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
A statement from the ministry indicated dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the Abuja,Lokoja corridor and other critical routes in the state. Umahi warned that contractors who “receive mobilisation funds but fail to deliver” would no longer be tolerated, pointing out that several projects recorded less than five percent progress despite exceeding their contract timelines by over 120 percent.
“These delays are unacceptable. Nigerians are facing hardship on these roads, and we cannot continue to accommodate contractors who fail to fulfill their obligations,” the minister said during the closed-door session.
The Abuja,Lokoja road, a 179km dual carriageway connecting the Federal Capital Territory to the southern region, has been under construction for more than 15 years. The route has faced public criticism for congestion, deteriorating sections, and accidents. The ministry highlighted several projects with alarmingly low progress, prompting the minister to issue sweeping directives, including terminating multiple contracts.
One affected project is the Culverts and Drains on Abuja,Lokoja Road (Section 2), handled by Sadogi Nigeria Ltd. Awarded on April 4, 2024, the project is only 39.04 percent complete despite 112.88 percent of the scheduled time having elapsed. Umahi ordered mutual termination, instructing the contractor to operate strictly within the advance payment already received, with a full account reconciliation to follow.
Similarly, the Abuja,Lokoja Section 4A Rehabilitation, executed by Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd, is only 33.79 percent complete despite 131.15 percent of the contract period having passed. The government also directed termination, limiting the contractor’s work to the advance payment already provided.
For Abuja,Lokoja Section IVB (Flooded Corridor), managed by Sailthrough Engineering Services Ltd, Umahi stopped short of termination but set a firm completion deadline of December 20, 2025.
The Okene,Ajaokuta,Itobe Road Reconstruction, handled by CCECC Nigeria Ltd, achieved only 2.02 percent completion despite 146.92 percent of the contract timeline having passed. Likewise, the Lokoja,Shintaku,Dekina,Ayingba Road, managed by TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd, is only 1.04 percent completed after 188.77 percent of the expected duration. Both contracts were terminated, with work restricted to advance payments received.
The Abaji,Koton Karfe dualisation (Section III), managed by Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd JV, is 16.71 percent complete with 125 percent of the contract period elapsed. Umahi issued a strict seven-day ultimatum for the contractor to return, repair failed portions, and restore traffic flow, warning of sanctions for further delays.
Meanwhile, JRB Construction Nigeria Ltd and Trucrete Solutions Ltd were commended for steady progress on their sections, with the minister instructing that all pending works,including those from terminated contracts,be consolidated under a special federal intervention programme.
Umahi thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving multiple emergency interventions, describing the Abuja–Lokoja highway as “vital to Nigeria’s economy,” and appealed to motorists for patience as construction intensifies.
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