By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has directed that all outstanding works along the Abuja-Lokoja Highway be compiled for immediate emergency intervention, even as it announces mutual termination of four (4) contracts in the North-central, mainly for effluxion of time.
The director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammed A. Ahmed, dropped the hint while briefing journalists on behalf of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Wednesday in Abuja on the outcome of a meeting the minister held with some contractors.
Assisted by the Federal Controller of Works, Kogi State and the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Barr Orji Orji, to the left and right, respectively, while delivering the speech, Ahmed said, “Honourable Minister of Works has directed that all outstanding works from Abuja to Lokoja, including all to be mutually terminated projects, be compiled for immediate emergency intervention.”
The Minister expressed gratitude to Mr President for his kind interventions on the entire stretches of the road (Abuja-Lokoja), which is about 179km x 2 (358km).
He apologised and appealed to all road users of the expressway to bear with the ministry on the inconveniences they are experiencing due to multiple intervention projects that are ongoing, assuring that the works will be completed soon.
On the flipside, the Minister announced mutual termination of the Contract for the Provision of Culverts and Drains at Flood Prone Area on 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, a project awarded April 4, 2024, with only 39.04 percent completed and 112.88 percent time elapsed based on effluxion of time.
He also directed mutual termination of the Contract for the Rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Section 4A: CH. 23 + 400 – CH. 26 + 400 RHS in Kogi State, Contract No.8476 being handled by Messrs Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd, which was awarded on 13th July, 2024 and only 33.79% completed with 131.15% time elapsed based on effluxion of time.
Away from Abuja-Lokoja, the Contract for the Reconstruction of Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi State. Contract No. 7648 being handled by Messrs CCECC Nigeria Ltd, which was awarded on 18th November, 2022 and only 2.02% completed with 146.92% time elapsed, has been declared mutually terminated based on effluxion of time. The Supervisory Consultancy Services also mutually terminated for lack of funding.
In the same vein, the Contract for the Rehabilitation of Lokoja Shintaku-Dekina-Ayingba Road Contract No. 7239 being handled by TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd, which was awarded on 3rd February, 2022 and only 1.04% completed with 188.77% time elapsed, has been mutually terminated based on effluxion of time. The Supervisory Consultancy Services suffered same fate for lack of funding.
In all cases of mutual termination above, the Minister directed the contractors to work within the limit of the advance paid to them after which final determination of account would be carried out.
For other other contracts not to be terminated, the Minister issued ultimatum for completion or resumption of works with commitment.
Still on the Abuja-Lokoja, the Minister commended Messrs JRB Construction Nigeria Limited for their performance on the rehabilitation works on Section 1 of and directed that the project be completed before 10th December, 2025.
On the Contract for the Rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Section IVB (Flooded Section, CH.23+400 – CH.26+395) LHS Contract No. 8490 being handled by Messrs. Sailthrough Engineering Service Ltd, Umahi has directed that the contractor immediately submit a letter of commitment to complete the project on or before the 20th December, 2025. He however admitted that the contractor had complied, “even though we are owing him”.
As for the Reconstruction of Existing pavement and completion of additional pavement on Dualisation of Abuja – Lokoja highways Section III: Abaji – Koton Karfe (Ch. 82 + 000 – CH. 131 + 362), Contract No. 7333, awarded on 7th March, 2022 and 16.71% completed with 125.00% time elapsed, the Minister directed that they should resume work in bad sections of the road within seven (7) days (counting from the day of the meeting) and reinstate the shoulders up to stone base level and patch the potholes on the carriageway for free flow of traffic during construction.
On the Contract for the Rehabilitation of Koton Karfe – Abaji road (47.862km: CH. 82 + 000 – CH. 129 + 862) Abuja bound, along Abuja – Lokoja route in Kogi State, Contract No. 8552 handled by Trucrete Solutions Limited, which was awarded on 22nd May, 2024 and 40% completed with 58.33% time elapsed, the Minister expressed satisfaction with advancement of work.
According to him, the road is 47.862Km road and is being executed on concrete (CRCP) and the project is progressing steadily so it can be completed as scheduled.