The Federal Government has cancelled at least five major road contracts across Kogi State following what officials described as prolonged delays, minimal progress, and severe breaches of agreed timelines on key federal highway projects.
The decision came after a comprehensive review held at the Ministry of Works in Abuja, where authorities expressed frustration over the stalled pace of construction on the Abuja–Lokoja route and other critical road networks in the state.
Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, warned that the ministry would no longer tolerate contractors who collect mobilisation but fail to deliver, noting that some projects had recorded less than 5 percent completion despite exceeding 120 percent of their contract timelines.
“These delays are unacceptable. Nigerians are suffering on these roads, and we cannot continue to indulge contractors who have clearly failed to meet obligations,” Umahi said during the closed-door meeting.
The Abuja–Lokoja highway, a key 179km dual carriageway that connects the FCT to southern Nigeria, has endured years of slow execution, resulting in persistent congestion, damaged sections, and frequent accidents, prompting renewed public complaints.
Following a review of several underperforming projects, the ministry detailed a series of decisive actions, including the termination of multiple contracts that showed negligible progress despite excessive time overruns.
Among them was Contract No. 8493 for culverts and drainage on Section 2 of the Abuja–Lokoja Road, managed by Sadogi Nigeria Ltd. Though awarded in April 2024, it achieved 39.04 percent completion while surpassing its approved timeline, leading to an immediate mutual termination and a directive for the contractor to operate strictly within previously released funds.
Another affected contract, No. 8476, covering rehabilitation works on Section 4A of the same corridor and handled by Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd, recorded only 33.79 per cent progress while exceeding its allocated schedule. It also received a mutual termination order, with ongoing work limited to funds already disbursed.
For the flood-prone IVB section of the Abuja–Lokoja Road, overseen by Sailthrough Engineering Services Ltd, the minister issued a final completion deadline of December 20, 2025, after the company committed to the timeline despite pending government payments.
The ministry also addressed the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe reconstruction project executed by CCECC Nigeria Ltd, which had achieved only 2.02 percent progress despite substantial time overruns.
Umahi ordered its termination and instructed the contractor to work only within the paid advance, while discontinuing the supervising consultancy due to inadequate funding. Similar action was taken on the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Ayingba Road, managed by TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd, which recorded exceptionally low progress, resulting in both contract and consultancy termination.
In the case of the Abaji–Koton Karfe dualisation (Section III), handled by Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd JV, the minister issued a stern seven-day ultimatum demanding immediate return to site and restoration of failed segments to ensure unrestricted traffic flow, warning of punitive measures for further delays.
On the other hand, the minister praised JRB Construction Nigeria Ltd for its consistent performance on Section 1 of the Abuja–Lokoja Road and confirmed that the project remains on track for completion in December 2025. He also noted that the 47.86km Koton Karfe–Abaji concrete road handled by Trucrete Solutions Ltd is progressing as scheduled.
To accelerate improvements across the corridor, Umahi ordered that outstanding works, including those from terminated contracts, be consolidated for rapid intervention under a dedicated federal works programme.
Expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting several interventions on the route, he described the Abuja–Lokoja highway as vital to national economic activity due to its heavy traffic volume linking the northern and southern regions.
Appealing for patience from commuters as construction intensifies, he added: “I sincerely apologise to all road users for the hardship along the Abuja–Lokoja axis. Multiple projects are ongoing, and we are working round the clock to ensure early completion.”
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