By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Jan. 9, 2026 (NAN) – In a decisive move signaling a new era of accountability for Nigeria’s infrastructure projects, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has sanctioned senior ministry officials and imposed a firm February 28 deadline for the completion of the critical Mararaba–Keffi expressway. This action underscores a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to project supervision and contractor management.
During an inspection of the 43-kilometre corridor on Friday, Minister Umahi ordered the immediate removal of the project’s Controller of Works. The sanction stems from alleged misconduct and delays, specifically the approval of payment certificates for palliative works that were either not executed or left incomplete. This is not merely about a single road; it is a public demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s stated “Zero Tolerance” policy for inefficiency and corruption in the execution of public contracts.
“Nobody will be spared,” Umahi declared to ministry staff. “Discipline is our watchword. Diligence is our watchword. Doing the work we are paid to do is our watchword. When action is taken, no amount of pleading will reverse it. I report directly to Mr. President.” This rhetoric marks a clear departure from a culture of impunity, where project delays often went unpunished.
Beyond the Deadline: A Systemic Problem Exposed
The minister’s frustration was palpable, revealing systemic failures in project oversight. He attributed the persistent lapses not only to the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), but squarely to negligence by the Ministry of Works’ own supervisory staff. This highlights a critical, often overlooked flaw in Nigeria’s infrastructure development: the complicity or incompetence of supervising government officials who fail to enforce standards or escalate contractor non-compliance.
Umahi elaborated on the proper chain of command, stating that ministry officials have the authority—and duty—to enforce directives and deny certificates for substandard work. Their failure to do so in this case turned them from regulators into enablers of delay. The directive to the Permanent Secretary to redeploy the sanctioned officer and appoint a replacement immediately is a direct attempt to reset this failed supervisory mechanism.
Specific Directives and the Path to Completion
To ensure tangible progress, Umahi issued precise technical instructions alongside the deadline. He ordered:
- The immediate removal of hand-moulded median caps, deemed substandard, and the commencement of proper concreting.
- The installation of solar-powered streetlights across the entire stretch, a move aimed at enhancing safety and security on this busy route.
- A mandatory submission by CHEC of a detailed work timetable and a written commitment to the February 28 handover date.
“I have been here more than eight times,” the minister noted, emphasizing his hands-on approach. “Now the problem is my staff, and today I will set an example of what 2026 will be like.” This suggests that the sanctions are a strategic example intended to reverberate across all ministry departments and ongoing projects nationwide.
The Bigger Picture: A Warning Shot to the Industry
The Mararaba-Keffi road, a major artery connecting the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa State and a daily route for thousands of commuters, has become a test case for the minister’s governance philosophy. By publicly sanctioning his own staff, Umahi sends an unambiguous message to contractors and civil servants alike: the old ways of business are over.
The minister’s final statement that sanctions “would stand unless reversed by the President” reinforces the perception that this crackdown has top-level backing. For the average Nigerian, the true value of this action will be measured not by the press conference, but by the timely completion of a smooth, well-lit, and safe road by the end of February. The coming weeks will reveal whether this forceful intervention can break the cycle of delays and deliver tangible results for the public.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
ATAB/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
