Federal Govt Terminates 4 Road Projects In Kogi

The Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi has terminated four road rehabilitation projects in Kogi, including the Abuja-Lokoja road.

The Minister announced the termination on Wednesday in his office after meeting with the contractors handling the projects.

The Director of the Press Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, said the projects were mutually terminated.

He listed the terminated projects, which included the rehabilitation of Lokoja Shintaku-Dekina and the reconstruction of the Okene-Ajaokuta road.

Other projects terminated include a contract for the provision of culverts and drains at the Flood Prone Area on the Federal Road Network in the North-Central Zone: Section 2 (3km: CH.13+000 – CH.16+000) Abuja – Lokoja C/No.8493(Rigid Pavement), being handled by Messrs. Sadogi Nigeria Limited.

He stated that the project was awarded on April 4, 2024, and is currently only 39.04% complete, with 112.88% of the time elapsed.

The Minister, therefore, directed the mutual termination of the contract based on the effluxion of time. He, however, asked the contractor to work within the limit of the advance paid to them, after which a final determination account is to be carried out.

The Minister also terminated the contract for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Lokoja Section 4A, which Messrs. Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd was handling.

He explained that the project, which was awarded on 13th July, 2024, had only 33.79% completion with 131.15% time elapsed. Hence, the Minister directed mutual termination and asked the contractor to work within the limit of the advance paid to them, after which the final determination of the account is to be made.

Similarly, the Minister terminated the contract for the reconstruction of the Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi State, which Messrs. CCECC Nigeria Ltd was handling.

He explained that the project was awarded on 18th November 2022 and was only 2.02% complete, with 146.92% of the time elapsed.

According to the Minister, the contractor is expected to work within the limit of the advance paid to them, after which the final determination of the account is to be carried out.

Relatedly, the Minister terminated the contract for supervisory Consultancy Services due to a lack of funding.

The contract for the rehabilitation of the Lokoja Shintaku-Dekina-Ayingba Road, being handled by TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd, was also terminated.

According to him, the project was awarded on 3rd February 2022 and is only 1.04% complete, with 188.77% of the time elapsed.

He also directed Messrs. Geld/Triacta Nigeria Limited (JV) in handling the Reconstruction of existing pavement and completion of additional pavement on the Dualization of the Abuja – Lokoja highways. Section III: Abaji – Koton Karfe to within seven days in the bad sections of the road.

He explained again that the project was awarded on 7th March 2022 and was 16.71% complete with 125.00% time elapsed.

He also directed the contractor to reinstate the shoulders up to the stone base level and patch the potholes on the carriageway for free flow of traffic during construction.

The Minister commended Messrs. JRB Construction Nigeria Limited for their performance on the rehabilitation works on Section 1 of the Abuja – Lokoja road and directed that the project be completed before 10th December, 2025

In the same vein, on the rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Section IVB (Flooded Section, CH.23+400 – CH.26+395), LHS is being handled by Messrs. Sailthrough Engineering Service Ltd.

Umahi directed that the contractor immediately submit a letter of commitment to complete the project on or before December 20, 2025, and the Contractor has complied, even though we are owing him.

“The Minister of Works directed that all outstanding works from Abuja to Lokoja, including all mutually terminated projects, be compiled for immediate Emergency Intervention.”

The Minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his kind interventions on the entire stretch of the road (Abuja-Lokoja), which is about 179km x 2 (358km).

The Minister apologised to road users on the Abuja – Lokoja Expressway and urged them to bear with the Ministry as they experience inconveniences on the road due to multiple intervention projects.  He further assured that the work will be completed soon.