The Federal Government has issued stern warnings and set firm deadlines for China Harbour Engineering Company and its affiliate, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company, over alleged substandard workmanship, delayed mobilisation, and environmental concerns on major federal road projects nationwide.

The action followed a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, involving senior ministry officials and representatives of the two Chinese firms at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

The companies are concessionaires for the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway and are also executing other strategic projects, including the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road and the 7th Axial Road in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the meeting was convened to respond to rising public complaints, protect government investments, and enforce strict contractor accountability under the Renewed Hope administration.

The minister disclosed that the Ministry had received a formal petition from residents along the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu corridor, complaining about excessive dust from construction activities, which he said poses serious environmental and public health risks.

Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately issue a warning letter to the contractor, mandating the deployment of soil stabilisation and other approved dust-control measures, and warned that failure to address the issue within seven days would lead to the suspension of the project.

The statement read, “During the meeting, several concerns relating to CHEC and CHOMC’s projects were reviewed, and firm warnings and directives were issued to safeguard public health, ensure quality delivery and sustainability, and protect government investment.

“The Ministry received a formal petition over the ongoing Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu road project, where excessive dust from construction activities has continued to pose environmental and health risks to residents on the corridor. Therefore, he directed that the Permanent Secretary issue a letter to the contractor, mandating immediate dust-control measures, including soil stabilisation techniques, to be implemented.”

The Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway is a key Federal Government transport corridor in the North-Central zone, linking the Federal Capital Territory with Nasarawa and Benue states and serving as a major gateway to the South-East and parts of the North-East.

Originally designed as a dual carriageway to ease congestion, cut travel time, and enhance safety along a historically accident-prone route, the project was awarded under previous administrations and later restructured into a concession and operation-and-maintenance framework involving China Harbour Engineering Company and its affiliate, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company.

Regarding the dualisation of the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road, Umahi acknowledged that the project was initiated by the previous administration, but noted that the current government has completed and tolled certain sections.
He expressed concern, however, that some parts completed under the former administration are already deteriorating.

The minister therefore reiterated his directive that the first five kilometres be milled, reconstructed with concrete pavement, properly re-asphalted, and re-marked, giving the contractor seven days to commence the corrective works.

He also directed the rehabilitation of other deteriorated sections along the corridor through milling and overlay, with special focus on defective areas near Nasarawa State University, failed bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainages, washouts, and inadequate vegetation control.

“Portions of the earlier completed road by the past administration were already failing. Consequently, he reiterated his previous directive that the first five kilometres of the project must be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and properly re-marked, stressing that the contractor has been given seven days to commence the work,” he added.

Umahi has ordered that all road furniture, including signage and safety installations, be reinstated following maintenance works.

He also instructed the contractor to enhance highway safety by improving corridor monitoring and ensuring the swift removal of broken-down vehicles to minimize accidents and traffic disruptions.