BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Government has indicted the contractor handling Maje–Jazu Section II Road, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited over sluggish work at the site, directing the contractor to substantially increase its mobilisation and productivity for timely delivery of the project within the agreed timeline and required quality standards.
Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo revealed this while inspecting the Bida–Lapa–Lambata and Maje–Dikko road corridors in Niger State, as part of the Ministry’s sustained monitoring of critical road projects across the country, particularly inherited projects.
He noted that more than ₦10 billion had so far been released to the contractor as mobilisation out of the approximately ₦90 billion project value, lamenting that the level of work completed, which stood at about one per cent, was not commensurate with the funds already advanced or the progress expected under the project schedule.
Goronyo said: “The amount so far released to you as mobilisation is over ₦10 billion. Yet, the progress of work on site is not commensurate with the amount that has been advanced to you.
“The percentage of work completed is not even up to one per cent, whereas, according to the project schedule, you are expected to have achieved almost 16 per cent at this stage. Honestly, we are not satisfied with the progress of work.”
He disclosed that the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi had been briefed on the progress of the project and directed that the contractor be made to understand that the pace of work is unacceptable.
The project, which covers approximately 71.9 kilometres and involves the construction of about 11 culverts and 11 bridges, required urgent acceleration, although five or six structures had been completed while the overall physical progress remained about one per cent.
Goronyo disclosed that the project has a 36-month completion period while almost six months had already been consumed without appreciable progress, directing the contractor to mobilise more machines, equipment, materials and manpower to accelerate construction.
The contractor, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited explained that prolonged traffic congestion caused by articulated vehicles had significantly affected its operations between June and August.
The contractor stated that the road was heavily blocked during the period, making it difficult to move equipment and materials, and carry out construction activities effectively.
He pointed out that following the clearance of the traffic from the previous day, the company immediately deployed its machines, equipment, labourers and technical personnel to the site to accelerate the work.
The contractor assured the Minister that it has the capacity, manpower, equipment and machinery required to execute the project, reiterating its commitment to accelerating construction.
He promised to complete approximately nine to 10 kilometres of the road by March next year, though Goronyo lamented that completing nine or 10 kilometres by March would not represent sufficient progress considering the overall length of the 71.9-kilometre project.
At the Bida–Lapai–Lambata corridor, the Minister sympathised with motorists, particularly articulated-vehicle operators, who have experienced prolonged delays and difficult travelling conditions along the route.
He described the corridor as an important economic artery connecting communities in Niger State and facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, goods and people across the region.
The approximately 123.4-kilometre Bida–Lapai–Lambata road is an inherited project executed under the Presidential/NNPC Tax Credit financing arrangement. Given the heavy movement of articulated vehicles along the corridor, the project was designed with continuously reinforced concrete pavement to enhance its durability and service life.
The Minister hinted that the Federal Government is concerned about the present condition of the road and would ensure the immediate mobilisation of the contractor for palliative intervention, while permanent reconstruction works progress.
“We deeply sympathise with the drivers and other road users. This is a very important economic corridor, and we cannot allow it to fail completely. We are going to push the contractor to mobilise early and undertake palliative works to provide relief to motorists while we await the full reconstruction of the road,” he said.
The Minister stated that the present administration inherited several road projects across the country and had continued to address them rather than abandoning ongoing projects.
He said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration recognized the strategic importance of road infrastructure as an enabler of economic growth, trade, mobility and national development.
Goronyo assured motorists and communities along the corridor that the Ministry would continue to closely monitor the project and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure timely intervention and sustained progress.
At the Maje–Dikko section, the Minister was satisfied with the significant improvement recorded following the Federal Government’s earlier directive for urgent intervention.
He directed the contractor to redouble its efforts, mobilise additional equipment and materials, and sustain round-the-clock operations at critical sections of the corridor.
Goronyo recalled that the Ministry had given the contractor a 48-hour directive to restore passability on the affected sections, commending the progress achieved so far.
“The progress of the work so far is impressive, and we are satisfied with what you have been doing over the last few days. But you need to double your efforts, mobilise more materials and equipment, and concentrate on the difficult sections. Nigerians deserve better roads, and we have no excuse,” Goronyo said.
He directed the contractor to maintain the current tempo of work, particularly at locations where drainage and erosion challenges continue to affect traffic movement.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry would continue its daily monitoring of the corridor, either personally or through senior officials, adding that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that motorists regained easier and safer access along the route.
Managing Director of Trunkroad Consortium Nigeria Limited, Mr. Isaac Abeka informed that the contractor had responded to the Federal Government’s 48-hour directive by mobilising additional personnel, materials and equipment to the site.
He disclosed that the immediate intervention significantly eased the major gridlock along the corridor, with traffic now flowing from the affected sections towards Lambata and Dikko.
According to him, failed sections were backfilled with stones, rocks and boulders, after which stone-base materials were applied and graded to improve the riding surface.
Abeka added that drainage channels had also been opened to facilitate the movement of water away from the roadway, while additional equipment had been deployed to the remaining difficult sections.
He assured that the intervention would be sustained towards the major bridge section.
At the Lambata–Lapai corridor, the Director of Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi explained that the contractor handling the permanent rehabilitation and reconstruction works had indicated its readiness to mobilise to the site
He informed that extensive earthworks during the rainy season could temporarily worsen some sections of the corridor, recommending immediate palliative measures, including the deployment of boulders, stone-base materials, graders and bulldozers at identified critical locations to maintain motorability until weather conditions become more favourable for full-scale permanent works.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola praised the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders for physically monitoring the corridor and implementing the President’s directive.
He described the road as an inherited project and assured motorists that efforts were underway to provide both immediate palliative relief and long-term reconstruction.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mallam Shehu Mohammed sympathised with motorists over the difficult conditions experienced along the route, pleading with truck owners and drivers to avoid overloading, adding that excessive loading has implications for road safety, vehicles and pavement durability.
He assured road users that the FRSC would continue to provide traffic control and support safe movement along the corridor.
The Director of Civil Engineering Services, Niger State, Engr. Andrew Adamu appreciated the Federal Government for its intervention on the critical road infrastructure.
He supported the immediate use of palliative measures during the rainy season, including hardcore, boulders, chippings and stone-base materials, followed by full mobilisation for permanent works as the dry season sets in.
The President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman appealed to motorists, vehicle owners and drivers to remain patient as the government and contractors work to restore the corridor.
He said that the presence of the Minister of State and other key stakeholders on site demonstrated the seriousness attached to resolving the challenges confronting road users.
The Federal Ministry of Works reiterated its commitment to continuous monitoring of the two corridors and ensuring that contractors sustained the pace of work until the identified critical sections are safely motorable.
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