FG Threatens Slow Abuja-Lokoja Road Contractors With EFCC,ICPC Action

FG Threatens Slow Abuja–Lokoja Road Contractors With EFCC, ICPC Action

 

 

The Federal Government has threatened to drag contractors handling sections of the Abuja–Lokoja Road before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over slow project execution.

 

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, issued the warning on Saturday during an inspection tour from Abuja to Obajana Junction in Kogi State.

 

Umahi expressed disappointment that one of the contractors had completed only three kilometres of a 400-kilometre stretch, two years after the contract was awarded.

 

He stated:

“The three jobs we awarded in 2023 may be facing the EFCC. We will summon them to the office, give them timelines in line with the law. If they fail, we will have no choice but to hand over the matter to the EFCC and ICPC to recover public funds.”

 

While acknowledging the quality of work on some sections, the minister criticized the slow pace of project execution. He also warned that field engineers who fail to raise alarms over non-performance would be held accountable.

 

The Abuja–Lokoja dual carriageway stretches about 460 kilometres. According to Umahi, the Tinubu administration has intervened in over 230 kilometres, leaving about 200 kilometres in poor condition.

 

He highlighted contractors handling the project and their varying performance levels. JRB Construction, for instance, had executed over 15 kilometres of its 22-kilometre stretch with satisfactory quality. Guild Construction, handling 53 kilometres at N56 billion, was delivering quality work but at a slow pace. Trucrete is executing a 47-kilometre reinforced concrete section previously terminated from Bulletin Construction.

 

Umahi singled out some contractors, particularly Soji, for poor performance, emphasizing that the government would no longer tolerate delays.

 

“What Mr. President inherited is frightening. Every region has serious road challenges. Everything cannot be completed in two or four years, but we are determined to make progress. Contractors who fail to deliver will not go unpunished,” the minister said.