FG gives contractor one week to fix environmental and safety issues on Makurdi–Enugu road.

From Kelvin Ezih

The Federal Government has directed China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its maintenance arm, CHOMC, to resolve a series of safety and environmental issues on the Makurdi–Enugu Road within seven days or risk sanctions.

The order followed a review meeting in Abuja with firms responsible for the Mararaba–Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Dual Carriageway. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the session was necessary after multiple complaints from road users and communities, stressing that the government intends to enforce higher standards under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

A statement from the Ministry’s information department confirmed that authorities had received a formal petition about the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu project. Residents along the route reported heavy dust pollution from construction activities, which they said was affecting both health and the environment. In response, Umahi instructed that a formal notice be issued to the contractor demanding immediate application of dust-suppression measures such as soil stabilisation. He warned that work would be halted if corrections are not made within a week.

On the dual carriageway stretching from Mararaba to Makurdi, Umahi noted that the government had completed some sections and introduced tolling, but parts of the roadway built earlier had begun to fail. He restated his order for the first five kilometres to be milled, rebuilt with concrete, and properly marked. He added that similar rehabilitation must take place on other weakened portions, including areas near Nasarawa State University.

The minister also directed contractors to address structural issues such as damaged bridge joints, missing manhole covers, clogged drains, washouts and overgrown vegetation. All road signs and other furniture, he said, must be restored once repairs are completed. In addition, he emphasised improved safety management, insisting that broken-down vehicles be cleared promptly to prevent accidents.

Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the slow mobilisation on the 7th Axial Road in Lagos, saying that despite significant advance payments, critical equipment had not been deployed and only limited site activity was visible. He warned that the government would reclaim funds and enforce contractual penalties if mobilisation targets continue to be missed.

According to the Ministry, the administration will no longer tolerate delays, substandard work or disregard for agreed specifications. Measures such as withholding certificates and issuing warning letters will be used when necessary to protect public funds and infrastructure.

Representatives of CHOMC assured the government that dust-control procedures would be implemented across all sites, that full mobilisation for the Lagos project would begin, and that repairs on the Mararaba–Lafia stretch would be carried out as directed.