Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, don order make dem remove immediately the Controller of Works wey dey supervise Mararaba–Keffi axis of the Abuja–Keffi Expressway project over alleged misconduct.
Umahi give the order on Friday during inspection of the ongoing 43-kilometre road expansion project. The minister accuse the Controller of negligence and issuing fake certificates to approve payment for jobs wey either poor or never even do at all.
E direct the Permanent Secretary make e reassign the officer sharp-sharp and post another Controller to take over the supervision.
“Today, I dey direct the Permanent Secretary make e remove the Controller with immediate effect and send am come my office make e learn how to obey instructions. Another Controller must take over immediately,” Umahi talk.
The minister no stop there. E also issue strong warning to China Harbour Engineering Company, wey be the contractor handling the road. Umahi give dem deadline till end of February to finish and hand over the project or face punishment according to the contract agreement.
“I dey give una till end of February to hand over this job. By Wednesday, una must come my office with una timetable and commitment say una go finish the project by then,” he add.
Umahi stress say year 2026 go be “action year” for the Ministry of Works, warning say indiscipline, carelessness and failure to follow instructions no go be tolerated again.
According to am, supervising officers must always report any contractor wey no comply with instruction and must refuse to issue certificates where work no meet standard.
“Nobody go escape. Discipline na our watchword. Diligence na our watchword. Doing the work wey dem pay us to do na our watchword. Once action don take place, no begging fit change am. I dey report directly to Mr President,” Umahi warn.
During the inspection tour, the minister stop for different locations along the road, including the Keffi flyover, to check level of work done and see whether contractors follow earlier directives.
As e stand now, pressure don mount on both supervising officials and contractors as federal government dey push hard to complete major road projects across the country.
