Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja 

The federal government has terminated several contracts on the Abuja–Lokoja highway after contractors handling key sections of the corridor failed to meet delivery timelines and performance benchmarks.

Minister of Works, David Umahi announced the decision at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, following a project review meeting held on November 25 with selected contractors.

According to the minister, the culverts-and-drains contract on the Abuja–Lokoja section handled by Sadogi Nigeria Ltd was terminated after only 39 per cent of the work was completed despite 112 per cent of the project time having elapsed. 

A similar action was taken on Section 4A, managed by Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd, which recorded 33 per cent completion after exceeding its project timeline by 131 per cent.

The reconstruction of the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe road, awarded to CCECC Nigeria Ltd, was also mutually terminated. The project achieved only 2 per cent progress even though 146 per cent of the timeline had passed. Supervisory consultancy services were equally terminated due to lack of funding.

Another cancelled project was the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Ayingba rehabilitation handled by TEC Engineering Company, which recorded just 1 per cent progress after nearly 189 per cent of the scheduled time had elapsed.

Speaking during the briefing, Umahi said the federal government would no longer tolerate non-performing road contracts.

“We cannot continue with projects where timelines have expired but performance remains abysmally low. These contracts are being mutually terminated in the public interest,” he said.

On the flooded Abuja–Lokoja section handled by Sailthrough Engineering Services, Umahi directed the contractor to complete outstanding work on or before December 20, 2025. The firm has since submitted a letter of commitment.

Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd, in charge of the dualisation between Abuja and Koton Karfe, was given seven days to resume work on failed portions, reinstate shoulders up to stone base level and patch potholes to ease traffic flow. However, Umahi commended JRB Construction for its performance on another section of the road. 

“We appreciate the progress JRB has made. That section must be completed before 10 December 2025,” he said.

Trucrete Solutions Ltd, which is executing the concrete rehabilitation of the Koton Karfe–Abaji bound lane, was noted to be progressing steadily, according to the minister.

Umahi directed officials to compile all terminated projects and outstanding works on the Abuja–Lokoja corridor for immediate emergency intervention.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for ongoing support on the 358 kilometres stretch and apologised to motorists for the persistent inconvenience.

“We appeal to road users to bear with us. These disruptions are temporary. Once the emergency interventions begin, the Abuja–Lokoja corridor will be restored to a safe and motorable condition,” he assured.

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