Works Minister David Umahi issues 72-hour ultimatum to Abuja-Lokoja highway contractors

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given contractors working on the Abuja-Lokoja highway rehabilitation project 72 hours to fully mobilize to their sites or face sanctions, including potential prosecution by anti-graft and law enforcement agencies. Umahi issued this ultimatum during a joint inspection of the highway with members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works. He warned that contractors who have received government funds but failed to execute projects within agreed timelines would no longer be tolerated. The Minister stated that President Bola Tinubu has approved funds for the project and urged contractors to immediately deploy equipment, personnel, and resources. Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work by GELD Construction Limited, noting that only 8.2 kilometers of continuously reinforced concrete pavement had been completed on a 28-kilometer stretch despite the contractor spending several years on the project. He also directed Federal Ministry of Works officials to identify the worst sections for immediate intervention and warned against poor supervision, stating that engineers and project managers failing to monitor contractors effectively could be removed. Umahi lamented the hardship faced by commuters due to prolonged construction and warned contractors against obstructing traffic. While acknowledging payment delays, he appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to accelerate fund release for projects f