China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister company, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), have been given seven days by the Federal Government to resolve environmental and public safety issues related to the Makurdi–Enugu Road project or risk sanctions.
During a high-level meeting with concessionaires and contractors managing the Mararaba–Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Dual Carriageway at his Abuja office, Works Minister Engr. David Umahi gave the order.
According to Umahi, the purpose of the meeting was to handle public grievances and impose contractor responsibility on projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
A formal petition on the ongoing Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road project was received by the Ministry, the Minister revealed in the statement. The petition cited excessive dust from building activities that poses health and environmental risks to communities along the corridor.
As a result, he instructed the Permanent Secretary to write to the contractor requiring the prompt application of dust-control measures, such as soil stabilization methods.
Umahi issued a warning that the project will be suspended if the problem wasn’t fixed in seven days.
Although the project was started by the previous administration, the current government finished some parts of the Mararaba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road dualization, the Minister stated.
and instituted tolling.
But he noticed that parts of the road that had been finished earlier were already collapsing.
Consequently, Umahi reaffirmed his order that the contractor had seven days to start the work and that the first five kilometers of the road be milled, re-asphalted with concrete, and appropriately remarked.
Additionally, he ordered the rehabilitation of other unsuccessful sections of the dual carriageway through appropriate milling and overlay, paying special attention to locations near Nasarawa State University.
In addition, the Minister mandated ongoing vegetation control, repairs for broken bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, and clogged drainage channels and washouts. He also emphasized that following maintenance, all road furniture had to be put back in place.
Umahi emphasized better highway safety management and gave the contractor instructions to increase corridor surveillance and make sure that broken-down vehicles are removed quickly to avoid traffic jams and accidents.
The Minister expressed worry over the sluggish progress of the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, stating that despite numerous meetings with the contractor in Abuja and Lagos, site mobilization was still insufficient.
He pointed out that although CHEC had already received a sizable amount of mobilization cash, vital equipment had not been sent out, and there had been very little site clearance.
“We will recover the funds and take firm contractual action if full mobilization is not achieved within the agreed timeframe,” Umahi cautioned.
The Minister emphasized that poor performance, delays, or disdain for established standards would no longer be tolerated by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration. He added that warning letters, certificate withholding, and other contractual punishments would be used as needed.
He reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government is still attentive to public concerns and dedicated to safeguarding lives, maintaining the integrity of infrastructure, and obtaining value for public monies.
Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Mr. Stephen Lee, responded on behalf of the companies by promising to implement industry-standard anti-dust measures on all construction sites, along with sufficient mobilization, full commencement of work on the 7th Axial Road, and rehabilitation of failed sections of the Mararaba–Lafia Road.
