The Federal Government has officially launched the construction of Phase 2B of the access road to the Second Niger Bridge, a project expected to further ease transportation and boost economic activities across the South-East region. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Ogbunike along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, with President Bola Tinubu represented by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

Speaking at the event, President Tinubu described the bridge, commissioned in 2023, as a game-changer for interstate commuting but noted that its full benefits had been slowed by incomplete access roads. “This new phase will address the missing links by delivering a 17.5-kilometre dual carriageway with seven bridges and modern facilities, including security cameras to ensure safety along the corridor,” he said.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, explained that funding for the project would follow a work-progress model, with 30 per cent of the contract sum already disbursed. He urged host communities to support the construction, warning against disruptions. “President Tinubu’s commitment to South-East development is clear, from key appointments in his government to projects like this one. This road will transform interstate travel, reduce traffic congestion, and stimulate trade across Anambra and Delta states,” Umahi said.

Governor Soludo commended the Federal Government’s efforts but stressed that the bridge would only be fully functional when the entire 35-kilometre access road is completed. He appealed to traditional rulers and youth leaders to cooperate with contractors to ensure timely delivery. “We must work together to prevent obstructions. This project is too important for our region’s growth to be delayed,” Soludo said.

The contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited, represented by General Manager Gius Cheng, assured stakeholders of timely and quality execution. He pledged that the project would meet international standards and deliver lasting value to the region.

The ceremony featured cultural prayers led by Igwe Awkuzu, the closest traditional ruler to the project site, invoking blessings for its successful completion.

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In a formal statement, the firm alleged that the land—lawfully allocated by the Lagos State Government—was acquired by a consortium of private investors who have committed over $250 million to its development. The firm insists the project is backed by valid documentation and relevant government approvals.

The dispute, according to the firm, stems from an alleged deviation in the alignment of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. The firm claims the federal project veered off its gazetted route by nearly seven kilometers, affecting private property not constitutionally designated for federal acquisition.

An incident on May 4 reportedly escalated tensions, when individuals dressed in military fatigues allegedly invaded the construction site. A worker, Olamide Obanla, was said to have been assaulted and taken away during the raid and remains unaccounted for.

“This act of forceful entry, without due legal process or compensation, undermines investor confidence and violates property rights,” the law firm said, calling for urgent federal intervention and legal redress.

The firm further warned that should government authorities fail to act, it would explore both local and international legal channels to defend the interests of its clients.

Responding to the allegations, Uchenna Orji, media aide to the Minister of Works, dismissed the claims as unfounded and politically motivated. He defended the project’s legitimacy, stating that all alignments were reviewed to minimize damage to existing infrastructure and private property.

Orji stressed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is part of the administration’s broader push to enhance national road infrastructure and economic connectivity. He also encouraged aggrieved parties to pursue their grievances through legal channels rather than media campaigns.

“The road project was not designed to be built in the air or water. Naturally, some properties will be affected,” Orji noted. “The Honourable Minister is carrying out his mandate in accordance with government policy.”

He added that similar grievances have been addressed through court processes and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to lawful and transparent execution of the project.

The matter remains unresolved, with stakeholders awaiting potential legal proceedings or further administrative action.

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Announcing the decision in Abuja, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the project was being executed under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme. However, repeated warnings and a final termination notice failed to prompt the contractor back to site.

“We gave them several opportunities, including a termination warning which required them to return to site within 14 days. They ignored it,” Umahi stated during a briefing with ministry officials and executives from GELD Construction Ltd and SKECC Nigeria Ltd.

Umahi explained that due to Levant’s withdrawal, the Edo State Government had stepped in to rehabilitate a critical 23-kilometre section of the road at a cost of ₦35 billion, with commendable progress already recorded.

He directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olufunso Adebiyi, to finalise the contract termination, initiate a joint measurement of the project, and write to the contractor’s bank to recover the Advance Payment Guarantee (APG). Failure to comply, he warned, would result in the case being handed over to the EFCC.

Positive Engagements with Other Contractors
Despite the setback, Umahi expressed satisfaction with SKECC Nigeria Ltd and GELD Construction Ltd, both of whom have agreed to return to their respective sections of the road and continue work.

“SKECC has a one-kilometre stretch where they began milling asphalt. Although the budget allocation from NNPC is exhausted, they’ve agreed to return to site and complete it,” Umahi said.

As for GELD Construction, the minister noted that adjustments would be made to the contract to reflect rising costs, particularly in asphalt pricing, which has jumped from ₦9,000 to over ₦30,000 per square meter. The firm also committed to resuming work on the Lokoja-Abuja and Itoki-Ikorodu roads.

Governors of Edo, Delta Commended
Umahi lauded the interventions of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for supporting the federal effort by undertaking sections of the road with their state resources.

“Governor Oborevwori is delivering three flyovers simultaneously—an impressive feat. We’ve also agreed that a 10-kilometre concrete section will be handled by a contractor from Delta State,” the minister said.

Addressing Regional Concerns
Reacting to claims that the ministry was favoring southern projects over the north, Umahi dismissed such narratives as divisive and inaccurate. He emphasized the equitable distribution of road projects across all six geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“For example, NNPC-funded tax credit projects show Niger State alone accounts for 26 per cent, compared to 5 per cent in the Southwest and 4 per cent in the Southeast. President Tinubu has continued all inherited projects without bias,” he explained.

The minister reiterated the commitment of the ministry to restoring public confidence in road infrastructure nationwide and affirmed that the Renewed Hope administration is delivering progress for all Nigerians, regardless of region.

“We must stop seeing roads as southern or northern. Nigerians travel and do business across regions. We are one country,” he said.

The post FG Terminates Benin-Sapele-Warri Road Contract Over Contractor’s Poor Performance appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Umahi, who made this known during a recent inspection tour of federal road projects in the South-East and South-South regions, described progress on the Enugu-Onitsha route as “unsatisfactory” and called for greater accountability from the firms involved.

“I’m not pleased with the pace of work,” he said, emphasizing the importance of timely delivery. “Contractors must take their responsibilities seriously and ensure these critical infrastructure projects are completed without further delays.”

The Minister also assessed other ongoing federal road projects, including the Warri-Benin-Asaba Road in Delta State. He particularly noted concerns with the slow development on the Efurun-Sapele section being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

“I expect contractors to redouble their efforts. Timely completion is non-negotiable,” Umahi added.

While in Delta, he commended the collaboration between the state and federal governments, especially the state’s role in facilitating compensation for those affected by construction activities.

“The proactive steps by the Delta State Government, especially in handling compensations, have helped to accelerate project timelines,” Umahi noted. “We at the Federal Ministry of Works will continue to honour our part of the partnership.”

In Enugu State, Umahi inspected the ongoing construction of the Eke-Obinagu Flyover and expressed satisfaction with the progress, describing the project as a model of effective execution.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure across the country and called on all stakeholders to contribute to achieving this national goal.

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Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja, Umahi outlined the administration’s progress in road rehabilitation and construction, stating that the completed projects fall under a broader intervention initiative targeting national connectivity and economic revitalization.

The minister revealed that the completed palliative roads, valued at N208 billion, are part of a larger portfolio of 440 ongoing road projects across the country. He emphasized that these developments are aimed at enhancing transportation networks, supporting trade, and improving regional accessibility.

“These interventions are not only strategic but essential for driving economic growth and ensuring that our communities remain connected,” Umahi said.

He also disclosed that 29 major infrastructure undertakings, collectively worth over N2 trillion, are currently underway under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Among them are four major “Legacy Projects” expected to have long-term impact on national development.

As part of activities to mark President Tinubu’s second year in office, select completed projects are scheduled for commissioning in May 2025. The Minister praised the President’s leadership, describing him as a “visionary” committed to transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.

The announcement underscores the administration’s broader push to address decades of infrastructural decay and stimulate sustainable development through public investment.

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