The Federal Government has terminated the reconstruction and expansion contract for the Mararaba–Keffi dual carriageway awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company, citing negligence and failure to comply with approved engineering designs despite repeated warnings.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced that local contractors with proven competence will now handle the project to ensure timely delivery and adherence to standards. He expressed displeasure over the contractor’s poor performance, noting that the slow pace of work has caused severe hardship for commuters and residents along the corridor.

Umahi, who visited the site with the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, and senior officials of the ministry, met with Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Senator Ahmed Wadata, and other stakeholders at the Keffi flyover to review the project’s progress.

“We cannot continue to tolerate uncooperative contractors who delay projects and ignore directives,” Umahi stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering world-class and durable road infrastructure.

In a related development, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani held a strategic meeting with Umahi in Abuja to review the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway project, focusing on accelerating work on the Abuja–Jere–Kaduna segment, a critical route serving millions of Nigerians daily.

Sani described the expressway as an economic corridor vital to Northern Nigeria’s development and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to modernise infrastructure and enhance national competitiveness. Umahi commended the governor’s proactive involvement and disclosed that contractors have been directed to operate double shifts to fast-track completion without compromising quality.

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The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged that ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project and WinHomes Estate should not be misinterpreted as government hostility toward investors, particularly those from the Nigerian diaspora.

Speaking during a live interview on Arise News on Tuesday, the minister clarified that while litigation involving property demolitions along the highway corridor exists, it does not obstruct the implementation of key national infrastructure initiatives.

“There were and are still cases in court. The first involved 39 property owners whose structures were affected. They were evaluated and compensated, even for informal settlements,” Umahi said. “The president directed us to pay because he wants to alleviate their problems.”

The minister expressed concern that certain media narratives surrounding the disputes could distort public perception and discourage credible foreign investment, especially from Nigerians living abroad.

“When people invoke the diaspora angle in a negative light, it creates unnecessary fear among genuine investors,” Umahi noted. “This government is very friendly with Nigerians in the diaspora, and we will not allow anyone to damage that relationship or the administration’s reputation.”

Umahi also revealed that some diaspora investors who are resident in Nigeria have reached out to seek further clarification on the project’s scope and progress. “They’ve sent letters and want to come to the office. I am more than willing to meet with them and clear any doubts,” he said.

Despite the legal friction, Umahi maintained that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway remains on schedule and is advancing through multiple phases. “The coastal highway is progressing very well. We are now in session two, and we’ve opened session three and three B, about 65 kilometers in Calabar,” he stated.

The controversy surrounding WinHomes Estate intensified after the company’s diaspora investors raised concerns over demolitions tied to the highway’s alignment. Earlier, Umahi had told reporters that only about four hectares of the estate’s land were impacted by the government’s development plans.

However, the Chief Executive Officer of WinHomes Global Services Ltd., Stella Okengwu, contested the minister’s remarks, insisting that the estate’s total investment exceeds $250 million. She also stressed the importance of upholding legal processes in the dispute.

In response, Umahi questioned the accuracy of the figures being cited. “If truly $250 million was invested, where is the proof? Who paid the money, and through which bank? Nigerians deserve to know,” he said.

The Minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency and to fostering a secure investment climate. He assured stakeholders that the government remains open to dialogue and that legitimate investor concerns will be addressed within the framework of the law.

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Out of the total amount, N5 billion is earmarked for legal fees, another N5 billion for settling judgment debts, and N2 billion for procuring vehicles for the minister’s SSA.

In addition to these expenditures, the ministry plans to spend N670 million on computer software and consumables for its headquarters and 37 field offices. Professional development for staff will cost another N800 million, highlighting a focus on capacity building.

Further allocations include N18 million for computer-aided equipment and software for the Electrical Services Department and N10 million for maintaining air conditioning systems and refrigerators at the Kaduna zonal office.

Vehicle procurement also features prominently, with N300 million set aside for utility vehicles for the Human Resources Department, N150 million for monitoring zonal divisions and streetlight services, and N55 million for a Toyota Hilux (2024 model).

Investments in digital infrastructure are also a priority, with N311 million allocated for digitizing filing and record management using Electronic Content Management (ECM) with RFID. The ministry has budgeted N16.3 million for the design and management of a Highways Road Access Management System (COHIMS) and N26.87 million for developing a harmonized web portal with multi-language support.

The ministry’s plans for education and training include N160 million for constructing classrooms and offices at the Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Training School in Kuje and N50 million for reviving skill acquisition programs in Abeokuta, Ijora, and Kuje.

Other notable allocations include N46.2 million for upgrading internet and intranet applications, N51.4 million for acquiring computer hardware, and N75 million for monitoring capital budget implementation.

With the ministry planning to execute projects worth N1.07 trillion in 2025, the proposed budget has attracted public and legislative attention. As the National Assembly reviews the allocation, debates are expected on the ministry’s spending priorities and transparency.

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