The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has sanctioned a senior ministry official and issued a fresh ultimatum to the contractor handling the long-delayed Mararaba–Keffi Expressway.
During an inspection tour on Friday, Umahi ordered China Harbour Engineering Company to complete and hand over the 43-kilometre road corridor by February 28, 2026. He directed the firm to submit a detailed work programme and a written commitment to the deadline by Wednesday.
Visibly displeased with the slow pace of work, the minister blamed both the contractor and supervising officials for what he described as persistent negligence and misconduct.
“The problem is my staff, and today I will set an example,” Umahi said as he ordered the immediate removal and redeployment of the project’s Controller of Works.
He accused the official of approving fraudulent certificates for work that was either incomplete or never executed, leading to improper payments.
Declaring 2026 an “action year,” the minister warned that indiscipline and negligence within the ministry would no longer be tolerated.
“Nobody will be spared. Discipline is our watchword. When action is taken, no amount of pleading will reverse it. I report directly to Mr. President,” he said.
Umahi stressed that supervising officials must strictly enforce directives, refuse certificates for non-compliance, and promptly report contractor failures.
He also ordered the immediate removal of substandard hand-moulded median caps, directing their replacement with concrete medians and the installation of solar-powered streetlights along the entire corridor.
The minister made stopovers at strategic points, including the Keffi flyover, to assess progress before concluding the inspection.
