The Federal Government has canceled five major road contracts in Kogi State due to “unacceptable delays, non-performance, and excessive time overruns.”
Following a review meeting, Works Minister David Umahi stated the government will no longer tolerate contractors who accept payment but fail to deliver, citing projects with less than 5 per cent completion after exceeding their contract timelines.
Umahi declared a zero-tolerance policy for contractors who accept mobilization funds but fail to execute the work, revealing that some projects were less than 5 per cent complete despite being over 120 per cent past their deadline.
“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, according to the statement.
The government’s crackdown zeroed in on the notoriously problematic Abuja-Lokoja road, a critical 179-kilometer link between the capital and the South.
This project, under construction for over 15 years, has been a source of public frustration due to perpetual gridlock, deteriorating sections, and accidents.
It was among several projects listed by the ministry where progress was described as “alarmingly low” despite massive time overruns, a situation that ultimately prompted the Minister’s sweeping directives and multiple contract terminations.
In response, Umahi ordered the immediate termination of the contract with Sadogi Nigeria Ltd., directing the firm to operate strictly within the already-paid advance pending a final audit. This pattern of failure was further illustrated by another project, the Abuja–Lokoja Section 4A Rehabilitation, handled by Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd. Awarded in July 2024, this project had consumed 131.15% of its time while achieving a mere 33.79% completion.
The ministry has mandated a mutual termination of the contract, instructing the contractor to limit all activities to the scope covered by the advance payment already received.
A full financial reconciliation will follow.
For the Abuja–Lokoja Section IVB (Flooded Corridor), handled by Sailthrough Engineering Services Ltd., Umahi stopped short of termination but imposed a strict deadline.
He directed the company to complete the project by December 20, 2025, a date to which the contractor has committed despite outstanding payments from the government.
Also, the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Ayingba Road, Contract No. 7239, awarded to TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd on February 3, 2022, has achieved just 1.04 per cent progress, despite an astonishing 188.77 per cent time overrun.
The minister has ordered a mutual termination of the contract, directing the firm to limit ongoing activities to the advance payment earlier disbursed. The supervising consultancy services for the project have also been terminated.
For the Abaji–Koton Karfe dualisation (Section III) handled by Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd JV, which stands at 16.71 per cent completion after 125 per cent time overrun, the minister issued a strict ultimatum.
“You have seven days to return to the site, repair failed portions, and ensure free traffic flow. Any further delay will attract sanctions,” the minister warned.
