Federal Government Terminates Calabar-Odukpani-Itu Road Project

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has terminated the contract for the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu Road project being handled by Messrs Raycon and Company (Nigeria) Limited.

Umahi gave the termination directive while inspecting the road which includes a spur to Ididep Itam and Ikot Ekpene in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

According to a statement by the Director Press, Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, the minister expressed concern over the slow progress by Messrs Raycon and Company (Nigeria) Limited, on a 9.7-kilometre section.

The statement said the contractor’s claim of not receiving mobilisation funds was rejected, with the Minister reminding that the Ministry’s policy requires contractors to report to the site and achieve a reasonable level of certified work before mobilisation funds are released.

“Based on this, the Minister announced the contract’s termination and directed the Federal Controller of Works in Akwa Ibom to issue a stop-work order,” Ahmed said.

The minister also instructed a detailed assessment of the work completed to facilitate payment.

Furthermore, he ordered Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Company to take over the project on an emergency procurement basis, assuring road users that it would be completed within two months.

The Minister also paid a working visit to Sections 3A and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States on Saturday, December 6, 2025 where Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Company is handling the 71.4-kilometre segment, part of the 750-kilometre highway.

The two projects were flagged off in April, 2025.

Engr. Umahi praised the contractor for maintaining quality standards, utilising advanced equipment, and employing skilled workers.

He also commended them over the completion and commissioning of Section I, Phase I (Ahmadu Bello Way-Eleko Village) in Lagos State, in June 2025, ahead of schedule.

He urged the contractor to replicate this performance on Sections 3A and 3B, directing that construction should proceed both during the day and at night.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Dany Aboud, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity and assured the minister that they would work day and night, deploying more personnel and resources.

He pledged that construction on both segments would be completed within the 36-month contract period.